Sarcoidosis Vasc Dif
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Sarcoidosis Vasc Dif · Oct 2012
Comparative StudyFeasibility of cytological diagnosis of sarcoidosis with endobronchial US-guided transbronchial aspiration.
Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) has a high diagnostic value in sarcoidosis if the obtained histological specimen is indicative of a non-caseating epithelioid-cell granuloma. However, EBUS-TBNA in sacoidosis sometimes affords solely cytological specimens. ⋯ Cytological evaluation of the EBUS-TBNA specimens had higher sensitivity than histological evaluation alone for intrathoracic lymphadenopathy due to sarcoidosis. It should be recognized, however, that up to 6% of patients with thoracic malignancy may have sarcoid reaction in non-metastatic lymph nodes.
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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 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.
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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
Optimal scoring of serial change on chest radiography in sarcoidosis.
The optimal means of quantifying change on chest radiography in sarcoidosis is uncertain. In current guidelines, the role of serial measurement of carbon-monoxide diffusing capacity (DLco) remains undefined and the prevalence of discordance between serial chest radiographic change and pulmonary function tends is unknown. ⋯ Change in radiographic extent is more applicable to routine monitoring in sarcoidosis than change in radiographic stage. In future guidelines, the role of serial gas transfer estimation and reconciliation of divergent chest radiographic and functional trends might usefully be addressed.