Estimating ambient air pollutant concentrations outside and inside homes in the Subpopulations and Intermediate outcomes in COPD air pollution (SPIROMICS air) cohort.

Background: Valid, high-resolution estimates of population-level exposure to air pollutants are necessary for accurate estimation of the association between air pollution and the occurrence or exacerbation of adverse health outcomes such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).

Objectives: We produced fine-scale individual-level estimates of ambient concentrations of multiple air pollutants (fine particulate matter [PM], NO, NO, and O) at residences of participants in the Subpopulations and Intermediate Outcomes in COPD Air Pollution (SPIROMICS Air) study, located in seven regions in the US. For PM, we additionally integrated modeled estimates of particulate infiltration based on home characteristics and measured total indoor concentrations to provide comprehensive estimates of exposure levels.

Clearing the Air: Understanding the Impact of Wildfire Smoke on Asthma and COPD.

Wildfires are a global natural phenomenon. In North America, wildfires have not only become more frequent, but also more severe and longer in duration, a trend ascribed to climate change combined with large fuel stores left from modern fire suppression. The intensification of wildfire activity has significant implications for planetary health and public health, as exposure to fine particulate matter (PM) in wildfire smoke is linked to adverse health effects.

Three-Month Variability of Commonly Evaluated Biomarkers in Clinically Stable COPD.

Introduction: Clinical decisions in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) treatment often utilize serially assessed physiologic parameters and biomarkers. To better understand the reliability of these tests, we evaluated changes in commonly assessed biomarkers over 3 months in patients with clinically stable COPD.

Methods: We performed an observational prospective cohort study of 89 individuals with clinically stable COPD, defined as no exacerbation history within 3 months of enrollment.

Panlobular emphysema is associated with COPD disease severity: A study of emphysema subtype by computed tomography.

Background: Computed tomography has the potential to inform COPD prognosis. We sought to determine associations of emphysema phenotype with clinical parameters including lung function, inflammatory markers, and quality of life.

Methods: Participants of this single-center observational cohort (n = 83) were 40-80 years old, had ≥10 pack-year smoking, and a diagnosis of COPD confirmed by spirometry.

Pulmonary and Bronchiolar Involvement in Sjogren's Syndrome.

Sjogren's syndrome (SS) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by mononuclear cells (principally lymphocytes) infiltrating exocrine glands (e.g., salivary and lacrimal glands), leading to destruction of exocrine epithelial cells and dryness of mucosal surfaces.