Active clinical trials for "Sarcoidosis"

The aim of this study is to examine exercise capacity, muscle strength and fatigue in sarcoidosis. In this longitudinal study the changes in prevalence of exercise intolerance, reduced muscle strength and fatigue will be established in a two-year follow-up. Also the relation between these physical impairments in time and other clinical parameters, such as QOL, will be established.

This study will evaluate patients with sarcoidosis to understand how the disease affects the body. Sarcoidosis is a disease that results from inflammation of body tissues. The lungs, lymph nodes in the chest, skin and eyes are most commonly affected. As the disease progresses, small lumps, or granulomas, appear in the affected tissues. In most cases, the granulomas clear up, but in cases where they do not heal and disappear, the tissues tend to remain inflamed. Eye inflammation (uveitis) associated with sarcoidosis can cause various eye diseases, sometimes leading to blindness. This study will examine the clinical, immunological and genetic features of ocular sarcoidosis. Patients 6 years of age and older with sarcoidosis may be eligible for this study. Candidates are screened with the following procedures: Completion of a questionnaire with medical, social and demographic information Blood draw for laboratory tests Complete eye examination, including measurement of eye pressure and dilation of the pupils to examine the back of the eye. Fluorescein angiography may be done. This test involves injecting a dye into a vein in the arm. The dye travels to the blood vessels in the eyes. A camera flashes a blue light into the eye and takes pictures of the retina that show whether the dye has leaked from the blood vessels into the retina. Other photographs of the eye may also be taken using a special camera. Participants are followed in conjunction with their local eye doctor as required by the status of their disease. Patients whose disease is stable are seen for an initial examination and followed every 12 months for 3 years.

Sarcoidosis is a disease of unknown cause which affects adults of all ethnic backgrounds. Clumps of tissue called granulomas develop primarily in the lungs, but can damage other organs, especially the heart. Anecdotal evidence from autopsy studies suggests the heart is affected in up to 68% of patients, but there is much uncertainty about this figure. If undetected and untreated, it can lead to serious complications or even sudden death. The current recommendation is to perform heart tracings (ECG s) on all patients, but this detects fewer than half of those with heart involvement. Blood markers traditionally used to diagnose heart disease are unreliable, meaning there is no simple blood test in use. The investigators propose a study with three aims. Firstly, identify the true prevalence of heart disease by performing Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scans on a group of patients with newly diagnosed lung sarcoidosis. Those found to have heart disease will have specialist (but routine) electrical heart tests. Secondly, (and perhaps the most immediate and clinically relevant) to identify the best method of diagnosing heart involvement using a combination of three simple tests: advanced ECG, 24-hour continuous ECG and a new type of computerised ultrasound scan. Thirdly, to identify proteins in the blood that could be used to develop a simple blood test for heart involvement in patients with lung sarcoidosis.

Evaluate MyoStrain cardiac MRI pulse sequence in Clinical practice

Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a restrictive lung disease characterized by impaired lung function, exercise limitation and skeletal muscle dysfunction. There is limited data on skeletal muscle function in ILD, most of which are focused on the lower limb muscles. The aim of this study were to evaluated the change of pectoralis muscle strength and relationship of pulmonary function with pectoralis muscle strength.

Background: This study aimed to investigate the diagnostic value of thoracic computerized tomography (CT) which is a noninvasive method making the diagnosis of sarcoidosis. Material-Method: The data of 816 patients who received endobronchial ultrasonography (EBUS) for mediastinal lymph node sampling and were subjected to other methods were retrospectively analyzed. 192 patients (sarcoidosis: 62, non-sarcoidosis) were included in the study. The thoracic CT findings of the patients were compared in terms of mediastinal lymph node and pulmonary parenchymal involvement.

Development of a Danish Sarcoidosis Registry. Characterization of a cohort of sarcoidosis patients with respect to the baseline epidemiological characteristics, comorbidities, radiology, histopathology, diagnostic investigations and treatment.

The objective of this study is to determine the presence of bacterial species, and the immunologic and molecular mechanisms of granuloma formation that might be involved in the pathogenesis of sarcoidosis. The investigators will collect peripheral blood and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid samples to isolate bacterial DNA and blood monocytes and lymphocytes. Specimens will be obtained from patients with sarcoidosis, with non-sarcoid lung disease, and healthy volunteers to directly compare the bacterial species present and the characteristics of cells thought to be involved in granuloma formation.

A number of studies have shown that the quality of life of two common interstitial lung diseases (ild), sarcoidosis and pulmonary fibrosis patients, is impaired and that fatigue is a substantial problem for those patients. Furthermore, breathlessness is an additional major problem in pulmonary fibrosis. In the field of cardiovascular disease and breast cancer, personality factors have shown to play a role in patient's morbidity, mortality, quality of life, fatigue, depressive symptoms, and one study showed a predictive role of personality factors in health care consumption. No studies examining personality factors have been performed in sarcoidosis or pulmonary fibrosis. Therefore, the aim of the present study is to examine the role of personality factors as predictors of fatigue, quality of life, prognosis, and health care consumption in sarcoidosis and pulmonary fibrosis. In this study a number of possible moderators, such as social support, will also be examined, aiming to get a full picture of the relationship between the various factors examined. Known and new sarcoidosis and pulmonary fibrosis patients (inclusion period 1 year) of ild care team of the outpatient clinic of the department of Respiratory Medicine of the University Hospital Maastricht will be asked to participate through completing questionnaires at baseline and every six months for 18 months, and allowing the researchers access to their medical records for the purpose of this study.

The purpose of this study is to apply the MELISA test, that diagnose hypersensitivity to metals, in Sarcoidosis patients with occupational exposure.