60 research outputs found
Sarcoidosis and autoimmune disorders. A case report and review of the literature
Sarcoidosis is a multisystem disease of unknown etiology characterized by clusters of non-necrotizing granulomas and distortion of surrounding tissue.
Although some patients are asymptomatic, sarcoidosis can cause a wide range of signs and symptoms often mimicking autoimmune rheumatologic disorders. Combined sarcoidosis and autoimmune disorders is uncommon as a result of either an University Hospital database analysis and literature review. However, given the high prevalence of autoimmunity in the general population, clinicians should be alerted to correctly diagnose and manage patients suspected to have both sarcoidosis and autoimmune disorders
Tracheal adenoid cystic carcinoma masquerading asthma: A case report
BACKGROUND: Tracheal tumors are often misdiagnosed as asthma and are treated with inhaled steroids and bronchodilators without resolution. CASE PRESENTATION: Here, a patient with tracheal adenoid cystic carcinoma who had been previously diagnosed with difficult asthma was reported. The possibility of the presence of localized airway obstruction was raised when the flow-volume curve suggesting fixed airway obstruction, was obtained. CONCLUSION: The presenting case report emphasizes the fact that not all wheezes are asthma. It is critical to bear in mind that if a patient does not respond to appropriate anti-asthma therapy, localized obstructions should be ruled out before establishing the diagnosis of asthma
Do females behave differently in COPD exacerbation?
Little is known about whether there is any sex effect on chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD) exacerbations. This study is intended to describe the possible sex-associated differences in exacerbation profile in COPD patients
Stem cell therapy in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. How far is it to the clinic?
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a respiratory disease that has a major impact worldwide. The currently-available drugs mainly focus on relieving the symptoms of COPD patients. However, in the latter stages of the disease, the airways become largely obstructed and lung parenchyma becomes destructed due to underlying inflammation. The inappropriate repair of lung tissue after injury may contribute to the development of disease. Novel regenerative therapeutic approaches have been investigated with the aim of repairing or replacing the injured functional structures of the respiratory system. Endogenous and exogenous sources of stem cells are available for the treatment of many diseases. Stem cell therapy is newly introduced to the field of COPD. Currently the research is in its infancy; however, the field is profoundly growing. Previous studies suggest that cell-based therapies and novel bioengineering approaches may be potential therapeutic strategies for lung repair and remodelling. In this paper, we review the current evidence of stem cell therapy in COPD
Do females behave differently in COPD exacerbation?
Introduction: Little is known about whether there is any sex effect on
chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD) exacerbations. This study is
intended to describe the possible sex-associated differences in
exacerbation profile in COPD patients.
Methods: A total of 384 COPD patients who were hospitalized due to
exacerbation were evaluated retrospectively for their demographics and
previous and current exacerbation characteristics.
Results: The study was conducted on 109 (28\%) female patients and 275
(72\%) male patients. The mean age was 68.30 +/- 10.46 years. Although
females had better forced expiratory volume in 1 second and near-normal
forced vital capacity, they had much impaired arterial blood gas levels
(partial oxygen pressure {[}PO2] was 36.28 mmHg vs 57.93 mmHg; partial
carbon dioxide pressure {[}PCO2] was 45.97 mmHg vs 42.49 mmHg; P=0.001),
indicating severe exacerbation with respiratory failure. More females
had two exacerbations and two hospitalizations, while more men had one
exacerbation and one hospitalization. Low adherence to treatment and
pulmonary embolism were more frequent in females. Females had longer
time from the onset of symptoms till the admission and longer
hospitalization duration than males. Comorbidities were less in number
and different in women (P<0.05). Women were undertreated and using more
oral corticosteroids.
Conclusion: Current data showed that female COPD patients might be more
prone to have severe exacerbations, a higher number of hospitalizations,
and prolonged length of stay for hospitalization. They have a different
comorbidity profile and might be undertreated for COPD
Effects of Inspiratory Muscle Training in Subjects With Sarcoidosis: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial.
Respiratory muscle weakness occurs in sarcoidosis and is related to decreased exercise capacity, greater fatigue, dyspnea, and lower quality of life in sarcoidosis patients. The effects of inspiratory muscle training in this population have not been comprehensively investigated so far. This study was planned to investigate the effects of inspiratory muscle training on exercise capacity, respiratory and peripheral muscle strength, pulmonary function and diffusing capacity, fatigue, dyspnea, depression, and quality of life in subjects with sarcoidosis
Is there any association between cognitive status and functional capacity during exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease?
The aim of this study is to screen the cognitive function during
exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and
investigate whether there is any association between cognitive function
and functional impairment, disease severity, or other clinical
parameters. Age and sex-matched 133 subjects with COPD exacerbation, 34
stable COPD subjects, and 34 non-COPD subjects were enrolled in this
study. For the purpose of this study, mini-mental state examination
(MMSE) and Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale were performed.
Six-minute walk distance (6MWD) was recorded, and BODE index was
calculated. COPD subjects with exacerbation had the lowest MMSE scores
(p = 0.022). Frequency of subjects with MMSE score lower than 24 is
22.6, 8.8, and 8.8\% in the COPD subjects with exacerbation, stable
COPD, and non-COPD control subjects, respectively. The COPD subjects
with exacerbation who had MMSE scores lower than 24 were older and less
educated. Subjects with COPD exacerbation had shorter 6MWD than that of
stable COPD and non-COPD subjects. After controlling for the impact of
age and educational level on MMSE, there was no association between 6MWD
and MMSE scores in subjects with COPD exacerbation. Cognitive impairment
is an important comorbidity during COPD exacerbation. Functional
capacity is also lower in exacerbation. However, no association was
found between cognitive impairment and functional capacity during
exacerbation
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