Corticosteroid therapy for the management of paradoxical inflammatory reaction in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis.

Background: Paradoxical reaction after the initiation of tuberculosis treatment is defined as increased inflammation following effective antimycobacterial treatment. This is a phenomenon that can severely complicate a patient's recovery, potentially leading to further morbidity and residual deficits. Paradoxical reaction remains poorly understood regarding its pathophysiology and management.

Thyroid hormone status and health-related quality of life in the LifeLines Cohort Study.

Background: Thyroid disorders are prevalent in Western society, yet many subjects experience limited symptoms at diagnosis, especially in hypothyroidism. We hypothesize that health-related quality of life (HR-QOL) is more severely impaired in subjects with more abnormal thyroid hormone function tests.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional study of Dutch adults participating in the LifeLines Cohort Study between December 2009 and August 2010.