Chest
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A 35-year-old woman with no known medical history presented to the ED with complaints of progressive dyspnea for several months. The patient also reported episodic cough with yellow to green sputum production. She denied fever, chills, weight loss, or hemoptysis. ⋯ She denied any history of tobacco or recreational drug use or any exposures. She was originally from El Salvador and immigrated to the United States approximately 3 years earlier. She was evaluated in El Salvador at age 15 for "lung issues" but had never received a formal diagnosis.
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Case Reports
A 77-Year-Old Woman With Sjogren Syndrome Experiencing Progressive Dyspnea on Exertion and Nonproductive Cough.
A 77-year-old woman was referred to our interstitial lung disease unit. She presented with a history of progressive dyspnea on exertion and nonproductive, persistent cough over the previous year. She was diagnosed with Sjogren syndrome two years ago by a rheumatologist. ⋯ She reported exposure to house mold. There was no family history of respiratory diseases. The patient never smoked and denied alcohol consumption, illicit drug use, or any occupational exposures.
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COPD is the second most common cause of hospital admission in the United States. OSA is a highly prevalent and underdiagnosed condition that may affect the outcome of COPD. ⋯ Patients hospitalized for COPD exacerbation and who have unrecognized OSA; 30-, 90-, and 180-day readmission rates; and 6-month mortality rates are higher than in those without OSA.