Diagnosis and Management of Sarcoidosis.

Sarcoidosis is a systemic disease of unknown etiology characterized by the presence of noncaseating granulomas in any organ, most commonly the lungs and intrathoracic lymph nodes. A diagnosis of sarcoidosis should be suspected in any young or middle-aged adult presenting with unexplained cough, shortness of breath, or constitutional symptoms, especially among blacks or Scandinavians. Diagnosis relies on three criteria: (1) a compatible clinical and radiologic presentation, (2) pathologic evidence of noncaseating granulomas, and (3) exclusion of other diseases with similar findings, such as infections or malignancy.

The risk and outcomes of pneumonia in patients on inhaled corticosteroids.

Corticosteroids are frequently prescribed anti-inflammatory medications. Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) are indicated for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and asthma. ICS are associated with a decrease in exacerbations and improved quality of life in COPD, however multiple studies have linked the chronic use of ICSs with an increased risk of developing pneumonia, though the effect on mortality is unclear.

Pneumonia: an arrhythmogenic disease?

Background: Recent studies suggest that there is an increase in cardiovascular disease after pneumonia; however, there is little information on cardiac arrhythmias after pneumonia. The aims of this study were to assess the incidence of, and examine risk factors for, cardiac arrhythmias after hospitalization for pneumonia.

Methods: We conducted a national cohort study using Department of Veterans Affairs administrative data including patients aged ≥65 years hospitalized with pneumonia in fiscal years 2002-2007, receiving antibiotics within 48 hours of admission, having no prior diagnosis of a cardiac arrhythmia, and having at least 1 year of Veterans Affairs care.