ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: The purpose of our presentation is to provide an overview of patients with COVID 19 and occupational asthma. Often we forget about the relationship between harmfulness in the workplace and the diseases they cause, as well as what risk factor they may be for other diseases. Occupational diseases can lead to severe disability and decreased quality of life. On the other hand, COVID 19 in some patients may proceed as a life-threatening condition. This review will pay attention to patients with asthma and COVID 19, paying particular attention to occupational asthma and risk factors of the working environment, as well as recommendations for working in pandemic conditions. METHODS: The diagnosis of asthma is made according to the following tests: spirometry is the recommended test to confirm this diagnose, the peak flow meter is and FeNO - a test to determine the level / content of nitric oxide in the exhaled air from the lungs, in patients with normal results from the abovementioned tests, but who had signs and symptoms of asthma, provocation tests may be performed. RESULTS: Patients with allergic asthma are more vulnerable to COVID-19 and the disease is more severe than in patients with the chronic pulmonary obstructive disease and non-allergic asthma. Older age and non-white ethnicity also appear to provide a higher risk of disease and its course within the population with asthma and COVID-19. CONCLUSION: There is still insufficient evidence to assess whether the risk of COVID-19 infection with asthma patients, including occupational asthma, is significantly higher.
ABSTRACT
Ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5), as one of the predominant air pollutants, has achieved effective control in recent years in China. Whether the use of indoor air purifiers is still necessary needs further exploration. A randomized crossover trial was conducted in 54 healthy students in Beijing, China. Participants were randomized assigned to the use of real or sham high-efficiency particulate air filter (HEPA) for a week and changed the status after a washout period. Health measurements of cardiorespiratory biomarkers were performed at the end of each period. Linear mixed-effects models were used to evaluate the association between PM2.5 exposure and cardiorespiratory biomarkers. Compared with sham air purification, average diastolic blood pressure (DBP), fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), and 8-isoprostane (8-isoPGF2-a) levels decreased significantly in the real purification. The effects of indoor air purification on lung function indicators including forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), peak expiratory flow (PEF), and forced expiratory flow between the 25th and 75th percentile of forced vital capacity (FEF25%-75%) were also significant. Our findings showed a protective effect of indoor HEPA air purifiers on cardiorespiratory health of young healthy adults reflected by the decreased blood pressure, respiratory inflammation, and systematic oxidative stress and improved lung function.
ABSTRACT
Introduction. Hypertension, as a medical problem, is one of the most common disorders in cardiovascular disease. High blood pressure has been identified as one of the most familiar risk factors for the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. We planned to explore the possible interactions between antihypertensive agents and drugs targeting SARS-CoV-2 with broad investigations in the mechanism of action and adverse effects of these medications. Methods. The electronic databases (PubMed, Scopus, and Google scholar) were searched by two of the coauthors to collect the papers relevant to the subject. The keywords searched were angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI), angiotensin-II receptor blockers (ARBs), sympatholytic drugs (alpha-1 blockers, beta blockers), vasodilators (calcium channel blockers, nitrates, hydralazine), diuretics, chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine, lopinavir/ritonavir, remdesivir, favipiravir, interferons, azithromycin, anti-cytokine agents, glucocorticoids, anticoagulant agents, nitric oxide and epoprostenol. Results. QT prolongation, hypokalemia, arrhythmia and increase the serum level of drugs are the most risky adverse effects of medications in patients with COVID-19 on anti-hypertensive drugs. Conclusion. Interaction of the drugs used for COVID-19 patients with anti-hypertensive drugs is an important issue that this review addresses.