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A subset of ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) patients are known to manifest obstructive airway disease. Using low attenuation areas (LAA) in the lung on HRCT as an imaging marker for obstructive airway disease, we analyze HRCT studies in AAV patients compared to a matched non-AAV group using visual semi-quantitative and automated quantitative analysis for presence and severity of LAA. Furthermore, HRCT and pulmonary function testing are compared to assess agreement between tests for airway obstruction.

100 randomly selected AAV patients with HRCT were compared to 100 best-fit matched control subjects. HRCT cases were visually assessed for LAA, along with additional pulmonary patterns. Automated quantitative software analyzed images for texture features and volume of attenuation values of -950 HU or less (e-950). Evidence of obstructive airway disease established by pulmonary function testing, when available, was compared to HRCT analysis for LAA. Additional clinical information, diagnostic testing and mormatched controls, with differences primarily seen in the non-smoking subset. AAV revealed statistically significant greater obstructive pulmonary disease on PFTs

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Visual LAA and automated quantitative analysis for e-950 on HRCT demonstrate statistically significant increases in AAV patients compared to age, gender and smoking matched controls, with differences primarily seen in the non-smoking subset. AAV revealed statistically significant greater obstructive pulmonary disease on PFTs (Sarcoidosis Vasc Diffuse Lung Dis 2020; 37 (4) e2020016).

Sarcoidosis is a multi-system disease reported to occur with a higher incidence in Alberta than many other health jurisdictions within and outside of Canada. The reasons for this higher incidence are currently not known. Exposure to beryllium can result in a clinically and radiologically identical disease to sarcoidosis. The purpose of our study was to identify patterns with potential occupational or environmental exposures to beryllium amongst individuals with sarcoidosis in Alberta through a tertiary referral center.

A prospective observational study was carried out at the University of Alberta Hospital. Patients with confirmed sarcoidosis (stages 0-4) were recruited from subspecialty clinics (Respirology, Cardiology, Neurology and Occupational Health). A predetermined list of industries thought to involve potentially relevant exposures for the development of sarcoidosis was used to capture current and previous exposure history. Results were entered into a database and where possible verified by compari4).

Transbronchial lung cryobiopsy (TBLC) is an emerging technique in the diagnostic approach to diffuse parenchymal lung diseases. read more However, the role of TBLC in smoking-related Interstitial Lung Diseases (ILDs) is still under discussion.

The aim of the present study was to describe our experience with TBLC in diagnostic work-up of patients with smoking-related ILDs.

We retrospectively reviewed data of patients evaluated in a tertiary hospital ILDs outpatient clinic, who underwent TBLC, from September 2014 to December 2019. TBLC was performed in accordance with the 2018 expert statement from the Cryobiopsy Working Group.

Forty-five patients (25 men [55.6%]) with a mean age of 53.9 years [SD, 9.1] were included. The most frequent radiological pattern was ground glass opacity (42 patients). TBLC was performed in different segments of the same lobe in 38 patients and in two lobes in 7 patients. The mean maximal diameter of the samples was 5.2 mm (range, 3-16 mm [SD 2.0]). Pneumothorax occurred in seven patiendosis Vasc Diffuse Lung Dis 2020; 37 (4) e2020013).

To evaluate Platelet-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (PLR) and Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR) in patients with HP.

A sample of 140 total patients, 50 having chronic HP and 20 having acute HP, and a control group of 70 more patients were included in this retrospective study conducted with hospital Ethical Committee approval.

PLR and NLR values were significantly higher in all HP patients than in the control group ( p <0.001). In addition, these biomarkers were significantly higher in patients with acute HP than in the chronic HP group (p = 0.017 and p = 0.044, respectively). The cutoff values for PLR and NLR were (1) 177 (p = 0.020) and 2.76 (p <0.0001) between the HP patients and the control group, and, (2) 110 (p = 0.0054) and 2.15 (p = 0.03), between the acute and chronic HP groups.

PLR and NLR values are inexpensive and easy parameters that can guide in diagnosing hypersensitivity pneumonia in combination with clinical, radiological and pathology findings.and the acute-chronic differentiation of the disease.

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PLR and NLR values are inexpensive and easy parameters that can guide in diagnosing hypersensitivity pneumonia in combination with clinical, radiological and pathology findings.and the acute-chronic differentiation of the disease. (Sarcoidosis Vasc Diffuse Lung Dis 2020; 37 (4) e2020012).

Little is known about epidemiology and clinical characteristics of sarcoidosis in Asian population.

This study aimed to examine the epidemiology and clinical characteristics of Thai patients with sarcoidosis, using databases of a tertiary care medical center.

Potential cases of sarcoidosis were identified from two sources, the medical record-linkage system and the pathology database of Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University in Bangkok, Thailand. Patients with ICD-10-CM codes for sarcoidosis were identified and retrieved from the medical record-linkage system from 2005 to 2018. Patients with histopathology positive for non-caseating granuloma were identified and retrieved from the pathology database from the same time period. All potential cases underwent individual medical record review to confirm the diagnosis of sarcoidosis which required compatible clinical pictures supported by presence of non-caseating granuloma, radiographic evidence of intrathoracic sarcoidosis and exclusion of other granulomatous Diffuse Lung Dis 2020; 37 (4) e2020011).

It has been suggested that sarcoidosis patients, especially those on immunosuppressive medications, are at increased risk for COVID-19 infection and more severe disease.

A questionnaire was developed in four languages (English, Dutch, Italian, and Spanish). The questionnaire queried whether patients had been infected with COVID-19 and outcome of the infection. Risk factors for COVID-19 infection were collected.

A total of 5200 sarcoidosis patients completed the questionnaire with 116 (2.23%) reporting infection and 18 (15.8%) required hospitalization. Increased hazard ratio (HR) for COVID-19 infection were seen for those with a COVID-19 infected roommate (HR=27.44, p<0.0001), health care provider (HR=2.4, p=0.0001), pulmonary sarcoidosis (HR=2.48, p=0.001), neurosarcoidosis (HR=2.02, p<0.01), or rituximab treatment (HR=5.40, p<0.0001). A higher rate of hospitalization was found for those with underlying heart disease (HR=3.19 (1.297-7.855), p<0.02). No other feature including race, other immunosuppressive agent, age, or underlying condition was associated with a significant increased risk for infection or more severe disease.