Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a generally fatal disorder with a reported median survival of 3 to 6 yr. This has been based on relatively few studies with diagnoses inconsistently confirmed by adequate lung biopsy. Retrospective analysis of 104 patients with IPF who had open lung biopsy (OLB) at Mayo Medical Center from 1976 to 1985 was performed to establish the overall survival rate, the spectrum of histopathological subgroups and their associated prognostic significance. The study group consisted of 54 men and 50 women with a median age of 63 yr. Median survival was 3.8 yr after diagnosis by OLB with an estimated 10 yr survival of 27%. Current histopathologic review showed a heterogeneous group including usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP), desquamative interstitial pneumonia (DIP), nonspecific interstitial pneumonia/fibrosis (NSIP), acute interstitial pneumonia (AIP), bronchiolitis, bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia (BOOP), and others. Median survival of the UIP group was 2.8 yr which is significantly worse (p < 0.001) than for other subgroups of chronic interstitial pneumonias. IPF includes several histopathologic subgroups with significantly different survival rates. Patients with UIP have worse survival than patients with other types of idiopathic chronic interstitial pneumonias including NSIP. Accurate histopathologic classification is essential for prognostication in patients with IPF.
Vitamin A toxicity has been reported to cause severe liver disease and, occasionally, liver failure. Herein we present the case of a 60-year-old male with symptoms of muscle soreness, alopecia, nail dystrophy, and ascites. He continued to deteriorate with the development of refractory ascites, renal insufficiency, encephalopathy, and failure to thrive. In this era of natural supplements, medication toxicity remains a major cause of concern. Biotransformation of drugs is a major function of the liver. Drug-induced liver injury can be serious enough to cause fulminant hepatic failure resulting in death or liver transplantation. We report a case of liver injury from subacute vitamin A toxicity leading to liver transplantation. To our knowledge, there is no prior published report of liver transplantation for vitamin A toxicity in the United States. CASE REPORTThe case was that a 60-year-old gentleman whose initial complaint was muscle soreness of 1-month duration. He also noticed increased shedding of his scalp hair (Fig. 1). He developed cold intolerance, chapped lips, dystrophy of his fingernails, and a skin rash with pruritus within 2 months (Figs. 2 and 3) His past medical history was significant for dyslipidemia, hypertension, and possibly celiac sprue, which was untreated. A comprehensive metabolic profile showed liver injury with aminotransferases elevated to 2 times the upper limit of normal, with alkaline phosphatase slightly above normal. Total bilirubin was normal. The patient was on atorvastatin at that time, and it was discontinued. His alcohol intake was minimal, and he stopped soon after the development of symptoms. When the liver injury tests remained persistently abnormal, he underwent an evaluation for chronic liver disease. This evaluation was essentially normal with a ferritin 26 g/mL, iron serum 43 g/dL, iron binding capacity 348 g/dL, iron saturation 12%, and lactate dehydrogenase 177 U/L. His serologies for hepatitis A, B, and C were negative. Antinuclear antibody and antimitochondrial antibody were negative, and ceruloplasmin and alpha-1 antitrypsin levels and phenotype were normal as well. In the meantime, the patient developed ascites. He was afebrile and anicteric with an erythematous skin rash on the abdomen and extremities. He also had nonscarring alopecia, decreased pubic and axillary hair, and dystrophic nail changes.An abdominal Doppler ultrasound showed ascites and normal Doppler waveforms of the hepatic artery and portal veins. The echogenicity and appearance of the liver were within normal limits. The spleen was normal in size. The patient's laboratory values at this time were as follows: hemoglobin, 11.6 mg/dL; white
BACKGROUND Early involvement of palliative care (PC) in patients with metastatic cancer has been associated with improved quality of life (QOL). Patients with high grade glioma (pwHGG) and their caregivers have unique needs such that similar results are anticipated in this population but cannot be extrapolated. Recognizing that pwHGG often require a caregiver early in the course of disease, this patient population also experiences significant personal and caregiver distress that has been given limited attention and resources. AIM: To assess the feasibility of implementation of a novel patient reported outcomes (PRO) quality of life (QOL) tool administered by smart device in routine office visit (OV) and early integration of palliative care (PC) for pwHGG and their caregivers to improve QOL for both. DESIGN: Prospective, single-center cluster-randomized pilot conducted for 6 months during completion of adjuvant therapy for newly diagnosed high grade glioma. After informed consent was obtained, 15 pwHGG and their caregivers were randomized to: routine OV with basic QOL survey; OV with PROQOL; or PC consultation, in addition to OV with PROQOL. RESULTS Two elderly patients with declining performance status transitioned to hospice after initial visit, and one moved out of state prior to adjuvant visits. Thus far 5/15 patients/caregivers have successfully completed the pilot with the 6 remaining participants due to complete in November 2019. DISCUSSION The PROQOL appears to be easily integrated into OV without significant patient, caregiver, or provider burden. Providers confirmed utility in prioritizing symptoms and concerns. Thus far, it appears that patients (and caregivers) appeared to benefit from the PROQOL and PC support as evidenced by longitudinal improvement in QOL scores over the control group. CONCLUSIONS A unique PROQOL tool and early PC can be easily integrated into practice, and may improve the QOL of pwHGG and their caregivers.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.