Clinical Evaluation of Sarcoidosis in Community Members with World Trade Center Dust Exposure

Kerry M. Hena, Scarlett Murphy, Yian Zhang, Yongzhao Shao, Angeliki Kazeros and Joan Reibman
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Kerry M. Hena: Department of Medicine, New York University, New York, NY 10016, USA
Scarlett Murphy: Department of Medicine, New York University, New York, NY 10016, USA
Yian Zhang: Department of Population Health and Environmental Medicine, New York University, New York, NY 10016, USA
Yongzhao Shao: Department of Population Health and Environmental Medicine, New York University, New York, NY 10016, USA
Angeliki Kazeros: Department of Medicine, New York University, New York, NY 10016, USA
Joan Reibman: Department of Medicine, New York University, New York, NY 10016, USA

IJERPH, 2019, vol. 16, issue 7, 1-9

Abstract: Background : Sarcoidosis is a granulomatous disease involving intrathoracic and extrathoracic organs. Genetic and environmental factors, such as exposure to World-Trade Center (WTC) dust after 9/11, may play a role in clinical presentation. Characterization of sarcoidosis in community members with exposure to the WTC dust can provide further insight into the relationship between environmental exposure and sarcoidosis. Methods : Patients with documented sarcoidosis were identified in the WTC Environmental Health Center (EHC), a treatment program for community members. Demographic and clinical data were collected from standardized questionnaires and chart review. Organ involvement was assessed with a standard instrument. Results : Among patients in the WTC EHC, 87 were identified with sarcoidosis after 9/11. Sarcoidosis cases were more likely African-American, local workers, and had more respiratory symptoms, compared with non-sarcoidosis WTC EHC patients. Many (46%) had ≥ Scadding stage 3 on chest imaging, and had reduced lung function measures. Extrathoracic involvement was identified in 33/87 (38%) with a diversity of organs involved. Conclusions : WTC-exposed sarcoidosis in community members is often characterized by severe pulmonary disease and a high rate of diverse extrathoracic involvement. Further analysis is required to characterize the course of disease progression or resolution.

Keywords: sarcoidosis; World Trade Center (WTC); Scadding stage; lung function; severe lung disease; extrathoracic sarcoidosis; cardiac sarcoidosis (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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