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Peripheral Oxygen Saturation in Older Persons Wearing Nonmedical Face Masks in Community Settings

Educational Objective
To identify the key insights or developments described in this article
1 Credit CME

Based on the evidence that nonmedical face masks prevent the spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2,1,2 many governments are mandating the wearing of masks in the community. However, fueled partly by claims on social media that masks can cause hypoxia and are therefore dangerous,3 concerns have emerged about the safety of wearing face masks. We examined whether wearing nonmedical face masks was associated with a change in oxygen saturation.

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CME Disclosure Statement: Unless noted, all individuals in control of content reported no relevant financial relationships. If applicable, all relevant financial relationships have been mitigated.

Article Information

Accepted for Publication: October 19, 2020.

Published Online: October 30, 2020. doi:10.1001/jama.2020.21905

Corresponding Author: Noel C. Chan, MBBS, C5-116 DBCVRI, 237 Barton St E, Hamilton, ON L8L 2X2, Canada (noel.chan@taari.ca).

Author Contributions: Dr Chan had full access to all of the data in the study and takes responsibility for the integrity of the data and the accuracy of the data analysis.

Concept and design: Chan, Hirsh.

Acquisition, analysis, or interpretation of data: All authors.

Drafting of the manuscript: Chan, Hirsh.

Critical revision of the manuscript for important intellectual content: All authors.

Statistical analysis: Chan, Li.

Administrative, technical, or material support: Chan, Li.

Supervision: Chan, Hirsh.

Conflict of Interest Disclosures: Dr Chan reported receiving a speaker’s fee from Bayer outside of the submitted work. No other disclosures were reported.

References
1.
Chu  DK , Akl  EA , Duda  S , Solo  K , Yaacoub  S , Schünemann  HJ ; COVID-19 Systematic Urgent Review Group Effort (SURGE) Study Authors.  Physical distancing, face masks, and eye protection to prevent person-to-person transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19: a systematic review and meta-analysis.   Lancet. 2020;395(10242):1973-1987. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(20)31142-9PubMedGoogle ScholarCrossref
2.
Doung-Ngern  P , Suphanchaimat  R , Panjangampatthana  A ,  et al.  Case-control study of use of personal protective measures and risk for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection, Thailand.   Emerg Infect Dis. 2020;26(11):1973-1987. doi:10.3201/eid2611.203003PubMedGoogle ScholarCrossref
3.
Goodman  J , Carmichael  F . Coronavirus: “deadly masks” claims debunked. BBC website. Posted July 24, 2020. Accessed August 15, 2020. https://www.bbc.com/news/53108405
4.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Considerations for wearing masks: help slow the spread of COVID-19. Updated August 7, 2020. Accessed October 4, 2020. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/cloth-face-cover-guidance.html
5.
Greenhalgh  T , Javid  B , Matthew  BJ , Inada-Kim  M . What is the efficacy and safety of rapid exercise tests for exertional desaturation in COVID-19? Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine website. Posted April 21, 2020. Accessed October 4, 2020. https://www.cebm.net/covid-19/what-is-the-efficacy-and-safety-of-rapid-exercise-tests-for-exertional-desaturation-in-covid-19/
6.
Rodríguez-Molinero  A , Narvaiza  L , Ruiz  J , Gálvez-Barrón  C .  Normal respiratory rate and peripheral blood oxygen saturation in the elderly population.   J Am Geriatr Soc. 2013;61(12):2238-2240. doi:10.1111/jgs.12580PubMedGoogle ScholarCrossref
AMA CME Accreditation Information

Credit Designation Statement: The American Medical Association designates this Journal-based CME activity activity for a maximum of 1.00  AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the participant to earn up to:

  • 1.00 Medical Knowledge MOC points in the American Board of Internal Medicine's (ABIM) Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program;;
  • 1.00 Self-Assessment points in the American Board of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery’s (ABOHNS) Continuing Certification program;
  • 1.00 MOC points in the American Board of Pediatrics’ (ABP) Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program;
  • 1.00 Lifelong Learning points in the American Board of Pathology’s (ABPath) Continuing Certification program; and
  • 1.00 CME points in the American Board of Surgery’s (ABS) Continuing Certification program

It is the CME activity provider's responsibility to submit participant completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting MOC credit.

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