A 40-Year-Old Man with Sarcoidosis and Factor V Leiden Thrombophilia Presenting with Deep Vein Thrombosis and Pulmonary Thromboembolism.

BACKGROUND The association between sarcoidosis and pulmonary embolism (PE) has been described in the literature, but little is known about the origin of hypercoagulability and hypofibrinolysis in sarcoidosis. PE is a multifactorial disease that is rarely caused by a single risk factor, and might be expected in disabling sarcoidosis. No data are available, however, about sarcoidosis being a risk factor for venous thromboembolism in factor V Leiden thrombophilia.

Does bronchiectasis affect COPD comorbidities?

Introduction: COPD and bronchiectasis, chronic inflammation disorders of the bronchial tree through the mechanism of 'spill-over' of inflammatory mediators, may lead to systemic manifestations of illness of the respiratory system and comorbidities. The aim of the study was to evaluate the frequency of coexisting chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and bronchiectasis and influence of bronchiectasis on COPD comorbid diseases.

Material And Methods: A post-hoc cross-sectional analysis of cohort study of 288 consecutive patients hospitalized due to acute exacerbation of COPD was performed.

Methotrexate treatment efficacy in sarcoidosis might be related to TNF-α polymorphism: real life preliminary study.

Introduction: Methotrexate therapy improves lung function in selected sarcoidosis patients. Variation in TNF gene was associated with response to treatment. To determine the predictive role of-308 G/A, -857C/T, -863 C/A and -1031 T/C α polymorphism in the efficacy of MTX for progressive pulmonary sarcoidosis.

Sarcoidosis as a risk factor for venous thromboembolism.

Sarcoidosis as a chronic condition of immune dysregulation might be associated with increased risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE). In this study we report three cases of sarcoidosis and pulmonary embolism (PE) occurring together, that share common clinical, serological and pathological findings, confirming the diagnosis of active pulmonary sarcoidosis and no others co-existing prothrombotic factors. We hypothesized that the hypercoagulability and increased risk for VTE in sarcoidosis may be attributable to active local and generalized inflammatory process.

Venous thromboembolism and sarcoidosis: co-incidence or coexistence?

The association between venous thromboembolism (VTE) and sarcoidosis has been reported recently, nevertheless the true incidence of co-incident sarcoidosis and VTE is unknown. Sarcoidosis as a chronic disease of immune dysregulation might be associated with an increased risk of VTE. The mechanisms responsible for VTE development are not clear and may be influenced by several factors: activity of inflammation, clinical characteristics of sarcoidosis and comorbidities.

Pilot program on distance training in spirometry testing - the technology feasibility study.

Introduction: Office spirometry has been widely used in recent years by general practitioners in primary care setting, thus the need for stricter monitoring of the quality of spirometry has been recognized.

Material And Methods: A spirometry counseling network of outpatients clinics was created in Poland using portable spirometer Spirotel. The spirometry data were transferred to counseling centre once a week.

Methotrexate as a single agent for treating pulmonary sarcoidosis: a single centre real-life prospective study.

Introduction: The first-line therapy in chronic sarcoidosis, according to WASOG/ATS/ERS recommendations, is GCS. This therapy is associated with significant adverse effects and finally does not alter the natural history of the disease. The objective of our study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of monotherapy with MTX, as an alternative to GCS, in progressive pulmonary sarcoidosis.

Fatal clinical outcome in a patient with sarcoidosis-lymphoma syndrome.

A 62-year-old female suspected of malignant disease underwent a splenectomy that revealed noncaseating granulomas in the histological specimen. Chest X-ray (CXR) and lung CT scans suggested sarcoidosis stage II. TBLB showed noncaseating granulomas.

[Six-minute walk test in sarcoidosis patients with cardiac involvement].

Introduction: Cardiac involvement in sarcoidosis is of critical importance, due to the poor prognosis if this organ manifestation is left undiagnosed and untreated. The six-minute walk test (6 MWT) is a useful test to evaluate exercise tolerance of sarcoid patients. We aimed to assess the 6 MWT value in diagnosis, course and treatment monitoring of patients with cardiac sarcoidosis.

[Markers of fibrosis and inflammation in exhaled breath condensate (EBC) and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis -- a pilot study].

Introduction: Sarcoidosis is a disease of unknown etiology. Little is known of predictive factors of fibrosis. It was suggested that PAI-1, uPA, TGF-beta1, VEGF, IL-8, TNF-alpha influence this process.

[The variability of clinical presentation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in patients with hereditary alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency].

Four patients with alpha-1 antitrypsin (alpha-1 AT) deficiency are presented: one woman with severe (phenotype PiZ) and 3 men with moderate (phenotype PiMZ) deficiency of alpha-1 AT. The variability of clinical presentation of hereditary emphysema is described. In all patients tobacco smoking history, spirometric and 6-minutes walking tests as well as HRCT of the lung were performed and compared.

[Effect of treatment for nicotine dependence in patients with COPD].

Stopping smoking is the only known method to slow down the inevitable progression of COPD. Early detection of the disease in smokers at risk of COPD gives a unique opportunity to prevent the disease progression. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of smoking intervention in a group of subjects with newly diagnosed airflow limitation (AL).

Diagnosis of airflow limitation combined with smoking cessation advice increases stop-smoking rate.

Objectives: To assess how the diagnosis of airflow limitation (AL) combined with advice to stop smoking in middle-aged smokers influence the smoking cessation rate and to identify predictors of successful outcome.

Design: Prospective, single-center, comparative study of the effects of smoking intervention in smokers with diagnosed AL and in smokers with normal lung function (NLF).

Setting: University hospital, out-patient clinic.