Sarcoidosis Vasc Dif
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Sarcoidosis Vasc Dif · Oct 2012
Comparative StudyAnxiety and depression in sarcoidosis: the influence of age, gender, affected organs, concomitant diseases and dyspnea.
Heightened degrees of anxiety and depression are often found in patients suffering from sarcoidosis, but the reasons for that are unclear. Furthermore, age and gender differences of anxiety and depression in sarcoidosis have not been reported with reference to normative data. ⋯ The analysis of mental distress should take into account comparisons with normative values. Young patients deserve special social support. Dyspnea proved to be an important symptom in the prediction of anxiety and depression.
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Sarcoidosis Vasc Dif · Oct 2012
Case ReportsChest wall shrapnel-induced beryllium-sensitization and associated pulmonary disease.
Chronic beryllium disease (CBD) is an exposure-related granulomatous disease mimicking sarcoidosis. Beryllium exposure-associated disease occurs mainly via inhalation, but skin may also be a source of sensitization. ⋯ A beryllium lymphocyte proliferation test, elemental analysis of removed shrapnel, and genetic studies were consistent with a diagnosis of CBD. This case demonstrates that retained beryllium-containing foreign bodies can be linked to a pathophysiologic response in the lung consistent with CBD.
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Sarcoidosis Vasc Dif · Oct 2011
Interferon gamma release assay (QuantiFERON-TB Gold In Tube) in patients of sarcoidosis from a population with high prevalence of tuberculosis infection.
Detecting latent tubercular infection (LTBI) in sarcoidosis has important treatment implications. Traditionally tuberculin skin test (TST) is relied upon for this purpose. However, sarcoidosis is known to produce tuberculin anergy, which is not affected by high prevalence of tuberculosis (TB) infection. Interferon gamma release assays (IGRAs) have a higher sensitivity and specificity for detecting Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) infection than the conventional TST as they utilize antigens specific for MTB complex. However, there is limited data regarding the performance of these tests in sarcoidosis, particularly in a setting of high population prevalence of LTBI. Herein, we studied the utility of IGRAs in the diagnostic work up of patients with sarcoidosis. ⋯ There is anergy to tuberculin in sarcoidosis. However, the results of QFT are not similarly affected. QFT continues to remain positive in many patients with sarcoidosis, and thus may be more accurate to detect LTBI in these patients.
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Sarcoidosis Vasc Dif · Oct 2011
Prognostic factors for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: clinical, physiologic, pathologic, and molecular aspects.
Previous studies identified clinical and physiologic factors of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) that are related to an increased risk of mortality. But there are few studies about histologic and molecular approach. ⋯ This study confirmed the amount of smoking, abrupt decrease in follow-up pulmonary function parameters, fibroblastic foci, and increased levels of CRP concentration at diagnosis were significantly associated with poor survival. Larger studies are required to confirm all prognostic factors including CRP.
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Sarcoidosis Vasc Dif · Oct 2011
Polymyxin-B hemoperfusion for acute exacerbation of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: serum IL-7 as a prognostic marker.
Acute exacerbation (AE) of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) has an extremely poor prognosis. Direct hemoperfusion with a polymyxin B-immobilized fiber column (PMX-DHP) has been used to improve oxygenation for acute respiratory distress syndrome. The study aim was to retrospectively determine the predictive factors affecting the prognosis of AE of IPF treated with PMX-DHP. ⋯ The results suggest that serum IL-7 may be a useful prognostic factor for patients with AE of IPF treated with PMX-DHP, possibly reflecting underlying anti-fibrotic mechanisms.