Serum levels of the pulmonary and activation-regulated chemokine CCL-18 are significantly associated with health outcomes in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, researchers have found.

Results from an Irish study show that a national ban on smoking in the workplace significantly reduced emergency room admissions due to respiratory illness in the 2-year period after its introduction.

The use of inhaled anticholinergic drugs is associated with an increased risk for urinary retention in men, but not women, with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, study results suggest.

Conclusions:  Cough in IPF is more prevalent in never‐smokers and patients with more advanced disease. Cough is an independent predictor of disease progression and may predict time to death or lung transplantation. (Source: Respirology)