Ga naar inhoud

Alle Activiteit

Deze weergave wordt automatisch ververst

  1. Gisteren
  2. Your skin becomes red and spots filled with pus appear, so you visit a dermatologist. When these symptoms spread to the skin throughout the body, it is difficult for the physician to distinguish whether it is generalized pustular psoriasis (GPP) or acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP), as both have similar symptoms. The two diseases run different courses and require different treatments. Without proper treatment, the symptoms can worsen severely and cause complications, so it is essential to distinguish between them.Link naar het originele artikel
  3. Short-term exposure to wildfire-related air pollution is associated with an increase in clinic visits for acne vulgaris among adults, according to a study presented at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology, held from March 8 to 12 in San Diego.Link naar het originele artikel
  4. Patients with psoriasis treated with bimekizumab rapidly achieve high levels of clinical and health-related quality-of-life responses that are durable at four years, according to research presented at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology, held from March 8 to 12 in San Diego.Link naar het originele artikel
  5. Laatste week
  6. In 2023, 117 cases of multisystem inflammation syndrome in children (MIS-C) were reported, with 26 percent of patients having onset during August to October, according to research published in the March 14 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.Link naar het originele artikel
  7. Researchers led by Hiroshi Ohno at the RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences in Japan have discovered a link between gut bacteria and the success of milk-allergy oral immunotherapy.Link naar het originele artikel
  8. Allergic transfusion reactions (ATRs), a potentially life-threatening side effect of blood transfusions with unclear mechanisms, may be linked to food allergies in pediatric patients as per a recent study by scientists from Japan. They found that ATRs may be triggered by the presence of allergens in the donor's blood, influenced by their pre-donation diet. These findings could pave the way for safer blood transfusions through the development of preventive measures and countermeasures for ATRs.Link naar het originele artikel
  9. The Wim Hof method may produce a beneficial anti-inflammatory response characterized by increased epinephrine levels and a reduction in pro-inflammatory cytokines, according to a systematic review published in the open-access journal PLOS ONE by Omar Almahayni and Lucy Hammond from the University of Warwick, UK.Link naar het originele artikel
  10. Pediatric atopic dermatitis (AD) is associated with greater odds of reported difficulties in learning and memory, but this association is driven by children with neurodevelopmental comorbidities, according to a study published online March 6 in JAMA Dermatology.Link naar het originele artikel
  11. Gay and bisexual people, as well as those undergoing gender transition, could face unique dermatological issues, an expert says.Link naar het originele artikel
  12. Nearly a quarter of sarcoidosis patients were found to have clinically silent cardiac involvement, in which standard heart symptoms are not observed, recent research indicated. Readily available cardiac screening tools, when used in combination, may help to rule out the presence of this hidden disease manifestation and avoid the need for costly and unnecessary MRIs, according to study findings. The study, “Screening tools for the detection of clinically silent cardiac sarcoidosis,” was published in Respiratory Medicine. In sarcoidosis, clumps of inflammatory cells called granulomas accumulate in the body’s organs. When they accumulate in the heart, it is called cardiac sarcoidosis (CS). About 5% of sarcoidosis patients have symptomatic, or clinically manifest, cardiac sarcoidosis, characterized by heart rhythm changes or heart failure, while around 20%-25% of sarcoidosis patients are thought to have clinically silent cardiac involvement, in which such symptoms are not evident. Recommended Reading January 10, 2024 News by Marisa Wexler, MS Blood protein, imaging tests can predict risk in cardiac sarcoidosis Even without overt symptoms, cardiac sarcoidosis can still be associated with an increased risk of adverse outcomes. Indeed, it has been identified as the main cause of death among Japanese sarcoidosis patients, the researchers wrote. As such, detecting the condition is critical. Cardiac MRIs are the gold standard for detection, but this approach is costly and may not be easily accessible. “A simpler, affordable screening algorithm is warranted,” the researchers wrote. Other routine tests used to assess heart structure and function include electrocardiogram (ECG), Holter echocardiogram, signal-averaged echocardiogram (SAECG), and transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE), as well as a clinical history of cardiac symptoms. The study’s findings In their study, the scientists examined the possible utility of these commonly available screening tools for diagnosing silent cardiac sarcoidosis among 129 patients with established extra-cardiac sarcoidosis, or sarcoidosis affecting organs outside the heart, but with no evidence of clinically manifest cardiac sarcoidosis. Patients were recruited through the multicenter CHASM-CS patient registry (NCT01477359), which is sponsored by the University of Ottawa Heart Institute in Canada. Using gold-standard MRI imaging, 29 patients (22.5%) were found to have clinically silent cardiac sarcoidosis, with 19 of those classified as having significant cardiac involvement (14.7%). Most cardiac sarcoidosis patients — 25 of 29 — were male, yielding a significant sex disparity. An existing diagnosis of hypertension (high blood pressure) was also significantly more prevalent in people with silent cardiac sarcoidosis. Symptom histories indicated that 15 out of all 129 patients had cardiac symptoms. By cardiac test, abnormalities were observed in 36 people (27.9%) with ECG, 10 people (7.8%) with TTE, 26 people with Holter (20.2%), and 51 people (53.1%) via SAECG. Altogether, each individual test was found to have relatively poor diagnostic accuracy for cardiac sarcoidosis. Still, combining certain screening tools increased their accuracy. For example, the most efficient screening method consisted of a combination of a normal Holter and SAECG tests, which could accurately identify 45% of patients without cardiac involvement on an MRI scan. The screening tools generally had higher accuracy for detecting cardiac sarcoidosis with significant cardiac involvement, according to the scientists. Altogether, the findings indicate that these common screening tools, when used in combination, “can be particularly useful to avoid the need for additional advanced cardiac imaging,” the researchers wrote. Still, the results don’t mean cardiac MRIs should be eliminated altogether, the scientists emphasized. “A feasible CS [cardiac sarcoidosis] screening should not aim at finding alternative tools so to avoid CMR [cardiac MRI] altogether, but rather at excluding true negative cases that don’t need additional expensive imaging,” they wrote. Future studies should aim to confirm the findings in larger and more diverse patient populations, the scientists noted. The team also indicated that a cost-benefit analysis is warranted for routine cardiac sarcoidosis screening. The post Combo of screening tools may help rule out silent cardiac sarcoidosis appeared first on Sarcoidosis News. Link naar het originele artikel
  13. From anxiety about the state of the world to ongoing waves of COVID-19, the stresses we face can seem relentless and even overwhelming. Worse, these stressors can cause chronic inflammation in our bodies. Chronic inflammation is linked to serious conditions such as cardiovascular disease and cancer—and may also affect our thinking and behavior.Link naar het originele artikel
  14. Earlier
  15. Slicing some fresh limes for that margarita savored in the sun could be a bad combo for some people's skin, dermatologists warn.Link naar het originele artikel
  16. A University of Colorado Department of Medicine faculty member says she and her colleagues have identified the means in which bacteria in the digestive system can break down tryptophan in the diet into an inflammatory chemical that primes the immune system towards arthritis.Link naar het originele artikel
  17. When I woke up this morning, my husband was in the living room watching “Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan” (1982) for the umpteenth time. It was toward the end when — don’t worry, even though the movie is over 40 years old, I won’t offer any spoilers. What I will offer, though, is a statement initially made partly by Leonard Nimoy’s Spock, who says, “Logic clearly dictates that the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few,” to which William Shatner’s Kirk adds, “Or the one.” This idea is repeated, twisted, and reversed in additional “Star Trek” films with the original cast as well as the 2009 reboot film. It’s an idea that’s all too familiar to the rare disease community. Recommended Reading February 6, 2024 News by Patricia Inácio, PhD Low ‘good’ cholesterol linked to higher risk of sarcoidosis: Study When it comes to medical research, the needs of the many (more common disorders) outweigh the needs of the few (rare ones). Over 110 million U.S. adults have high blood pressure, a leading cause of heart disease and stroke. That’s more than 500 times as many people with sarcoidosis, including me. So it’s only logical that more funding goes toward those conditions that occur more frequently. It’s much the same when it comes to medical expertise. With countless conditions and a finite amount of schooling, more time is spent learning about common diseases, such as cancer and diabetes. A medical student once told me she’d seen only one paragraph about sarcoidosis throughout her medical education. Unless students choose to focus on our disease, that one paragraph is likely all they’ll ever know. That sets up an unfortunate Catch-22 situation. More than one, actually. (Would that be a Catch-44? Or Catch-66?) The needs of the many, the few, and the one Medical students aren’t likely to choose a rare disease as their specialty, be it sarcoidosis or another, if they don’t see more than a few sentences on it to whet their appetites. Worse than that, if they don’t become sarcoidosis specialists, they won’t recognize the symptoms when we patients need to be evaluated. If they don’t recognize it, they can’t diagnose it; if they don’t diagnose it, they can’t refer us to a more knowledgeable sarcoidosis specialist. And those are hard to come by, anyway. After a yearslong search for answers, we may eventually be diagnosed correctly and referred to a sarcoidosis specialist. But even then, it’s not smooth sailing, as Spock’s maxim can come back to bite us again. Sarcoidosis can affect any part of the body, but it affects the lungs in 90% of cases. With that in mind, it’s logical that the needs of the many (now pulmonary sarcoidosis patients) outweigh the needs of the few (other types of the disease). As logic dictates, most sarcoidosis specialists are pulmonologists. Even within this subset, I seem to fall on the side of the few. I do have sarcoidosis in my lungs (though I’ve been told it’s in remission) — in fact, it was the bilateral hilar adenopathy (enlarged lymph nodes in the lungs) reflected on a chest X-ray that helped lead to my diagnosis – but that’s only ever been mild for me. I get short of breath easily and my chest wheezes, especially in cold weather, but my pulmonary function test (PFT) results have always been normal. That means there’s not much a pulmonologist can do for me beyond an annual exam (PFT and chest X-ray) and a prescription inhaler. It’d be great if that were the end of the story, but it’s not that simple. Sarcoidosis also — and more severely — affects my joints, nervous system, and skin while causing systemic symptoms like debilitating fatigue, fevers, and chills. That means I have to see a rheumatologist, neurologist, and dermatologist in addition to my primary care doctor and pulmonologist. Medication side effects require an ophthalmologist, and the risk of cardiac sarcoidosis necessitates a cardiologist. Occasional scares over the years have led me to an immunologist, hepatologist, and an infectious disease specialist. As if that weren’t enough, other conditions require an endocrinologist, gastroenterologist, and, of course, a gynecologist. Since my hip replacement, there’s also an orthopedist, physical therapist, and physiatrist. With all of that taking over my life, it’s no wonder I see a psychologist, too. It seems pretty clear that my doctors are “the many” in this scenario, and I am the one. But just as Kirk turns the tables in “Star Trek III: The Search for Spock” (1984), I call an exception to the rule here, too. The “highly illogical” lesson that all patients and patient advocates must learn is that, in our own cases, “The needs of the one outweigh the needs of the many.” Our needs matter. That’s the only way we can (you know I’ve got to say it here) “live long and prosper.” Note: Sarcoidosis News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Sarcoidosis News or its parent company, BioNews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to sarcoidosis. The post Spock’s logic doesn’t help patients with symptoms of sarcoidosis appeared first on Sarcoidosis News. Link naar het originele artikel
  18. Some acne treatments may banish blemishes but carry hidden dangers: A new report reveals high levels of the carcinogen benzene can form in products that contain the zit-fighting ingredient benzoyl peroxide.Link naar het originele artikel
  19. Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a rare and often aggressive syndrome of hyperactive inflammation with up to a 40% mortality rate. Scientists at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital have shown that a drug inhibiting two major inflammatory signaling proteins works better than drugs inhibiting either protein alone in models of HLH. The drug ruxolitinib, which inhibits both inflammation-related signaling proteins Janus Kinase 1 (JAK1) and JAK2, was superior to other drugs tested, which inhibited only JAK1 or JAK2.Link naar het originele artikel
  20. For scalp psoriasis, 0.1 percent tacrolimus microemulsion has good efficacy and safety, according to a study published online Feb. 12 in Dermatology and Therapy.Link naar het originele artikel
  21. Early-life day care attendance may be protective against allergen sensitization, according to a study presented at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, held from Feb. 23 to 26 in Washington, D.C.Link naar het originele artikel
  22. Nasal powder formulations of epinephrine are effective and show superior stability to EpiPens, according to a study presented at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, held from Feb. 23 to 26 in Washington, D.C.Link naar het originele artikel
  23. Joachim

    An early start to spring allergies

    Though it technically may still be winter, spring allergies in Houston are out in full force. An expert with Baylor College of Medicine gives an upcoming pollen and mold forecast and reviews how to properly use some allergy relief options.Link naar het originele artikel
  24. To help boost awareness of sarcoidosis and support those affected by the complex and often misunderstood disorder, the Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research (FSR) is hosting its first in-person training of its Global Sarcoidosis Clinic Alliance (FSR-GSCA) volunteer patient leaders at the Cleveland Clinic. The training takes place March 8-10 at the Cleveland Clinic, the founding member of the FSR-GSCA. The 30 newly trained volunteers from throughout the nation will partner with and support alliance members at 20 clinics across 18 states. Overall, the training program represents an opportunity for the volunteers to connect, gain skills and knowledge, and fortify their commitment to meaningfully impact the lives of those who live with sarcoidosis. “FSR is proud to partner with Cleveland Clinic for this extraordinary in-person training event,” Mary McGowan, FSR CEO, said in a press release. “This unique program will result in significant [strides] to improve the care and patient outcomes for those impacted by sarcoidosis nationwide. The FSR Patient Volunteer Leaders will be the boots on the ground in their local communities and the driving force behind increased awareness and support that will be the catalyst for improved patient outcomes for all impacted by sarcoidosis.” The volunteers will experience hands-on learning while getting to know the Cleveland Clinic’s facilities and learning how to effectively share their patient journey. They will learn directly from globally recognized experts in sarcoidosis, a condition marked by an overactive immune system that at length causes the formation of granulomas — small clutches of inflammatory cells — in various tissues and organs, affecting their function. The disease causes a broad range of symptoms, often rendering diagnosis difficult. Recommended Reading February 6, 2024 News by Patricia Inácio, PhD Low ‘good’ cholesterol linked to higher risk of sarcoidosis: Study The need for more sarcoidosis awareness Sarcoidosis therapies to ease symptoms typically work by suppressing inflammation and the immune system. While symptoms in some patients may disappear on their own without treatment, other patients may require long-term management. More sarcoidosis awareness and education can help to improve disease understanding, diagnoses, and management. April is Sarcoidosis Awareness Month. The overarching goal of FSR-GSCA program, which consists of patients, caregivers, hospitals, clinics, and other health professionals, is to find a cure for sarcoidosis and to extend care based on evidence and patient needs. The FSR trained its first group of patient volunteers last year. At the time, the training program had separate tracks for community group leaders and community outreach leaders. The group leaders were to support and educate patients and caregivers at periodic FSR-GSCA community groups. Outreach leaders are tasked with sharing their patient experience at area awareness events. “Sarcoidosis is a complex and often misdiagnosed, and misunderstood condition,” said Manny Ribeiro, MD, a Cleveland Clinic pulmonologist who specializes in sarcoidosis. “Cleveland Clinic is a proud member of the FSR Global Sarcoidosis Clinic Alliance and is honored to hold this training event in collaboration with FSR. We recognize the importance of building a strong support system for those living with the condition. We believe that informed patient volunteer leaders are the beacon of hope for all individuals impacted by sarcoidosis.” The post FSR provides training to sarcoidosis patient leaders at Cleveland Clinic appeared first on Sarcoidosis News. Link naar het originele artikel
  25. A RIKEN-developed mouse model of an enigmatic lung disease promises to unlock new biological insights and catalyze the development of treatments for millions affected globally. The research is published in Nature Communications.Link naar het originele artikel
  26. Patients whose asthma is poorly controlled account for eight times excess greenhouse gas emissions compared with those whose condition is well controlled—equivalent to that produced by 124,000 homes each year in the U.K. This result has been published online in the journal Thorax.Link naar het originele artikel
  27. The common inflammatory condition sinusitis is linked to a 40% heightened risk of a subsequent diagnosis of rheumatic disease, particularly in the five to 10 years preceding the start of symptoms, according to research published in the open access journal RMD Open.Link naar het originele artikel
  28. Scientists at the University of Colorado are planning a study to better classify sarcoidosis as it affects the eyes, called ocular sarcoidosis. Having a grasp on the specific biological mechanisms that drive sarcoidosis in different patients could lead to more targeted treatments, researchers say. “Improving our ability to define subtypes of disease and then applying molecular techniques like the ones we are using in my lab will help us understand what’s driving the inflammation and what is targetable with drugs,” Lynn Hassman, MD, PhD, assistant professor of ophthalmology and one of the scientists leading the study, said in a university news story. “Patients want to know why this is happening to them,” Hassman said. “The better we are able to define the disease, the closer we are in helping them understand why this might have happened and what can be done to help.” Those interested in learning more about the study can reach out to researchers at Colorado University’s Center for Ocular Inflammation via phone at 720-848-2020 or by email at uch-eyeintakeaccesscoordinators@uchealth.org. Sarcoidosis is an inflammatory condition defined by clumps of immune cells called granulomas. The disease can affect various body parts and manifest differently from one person to the next. A diagnosis of sarcoidosis is made based on identifying granulomas and ruling out other conditions, without much consideration given for what’s actually causing the immune clumps to appear. “There’s a typical configuration of inflammatory cells present in a granuloma. You must prove that there is not an active infection or cancer. Once you’ve excluded those diseases, you’re left with sarcoidosis,” Hassman said. “But the one disease we call sarcoidosis can affect patients in very different ways.” Recommended Reading February 4, 2021 News by Diana Campelo Delgado Inflammation Limited to Front of Eye Can Aid Recovery in Ocular Sarcoidosis Eyeballing ocular sarcoidosis Classifying sarcoidosis so broadly and without regard to the specific causes means a diagnosis doesn’t necessarily offer any ideas about the best way to treat it, Hassman said. Granulomas can appear in the eyes of people diagnosed with sarcoidosis. According to Hassman, this typically leads to a type of eye inflammation called uveitis, which can cause “redness, blurry vision, floaters, light sensitivity, pain around the eyes, and potentially permanent loss of vision.” Hassman and her colleagues will collect samples of eye cells from people with uveitis and analyze the molecular activity in individual cells to better understand how runaway inflammation develops and persists. “Through this study, we hope to place uveitis patients into groups that aren’t based on descriptive terms like ‘sarcoidosis,’ but instead are based on treatable molecular features, like ‘IL-6-driven inflammation’ or ‘TNF-driven inflammation,’” Hassman said. IL-6 and TNF are both inflammatory signaling molecules. Similar work has already started to uncover subtypes of sarcoidosis in other parts of the body. “There’s some great work showing that specific organ systems often manifest together in individual patients with sarcoidosis. Researchers have learned that there is a skin and lymph node phenotype, for example,” Hassman said. “That’s where we need to go with uveitis. First, we need to learn which clinical signs correlate into disease subtypes, then which molecules are characteristic of each disease subtype. From there, we can target those specific molecules and more effectively treat patients.” The post Study will classify ocular sarcoidosis based on causes of inflammation appeared first on Sarcoidosis News. Link naar het originele artikel
  1. Laad meer activiteit
×
×
  • Maak Nieuw...

Belangrijke Informatie

Wij willen cookies op uw apparaat plaatsen, welke ervoor zorgen dat dit forum beter functioneert. U kunt uw cookie instellingen aanpassen, anders gaan wij ervan uit dat u ermee instemt om door te gaan.