OBJECTIVE: The etiology of sarcoidosis is unknown, but epidemiology suggests that environmental agents are a factor. Because firefighters are exposed to numerous toxins, we questioned whether sarcoidosis was increased in this cohort. SETTING: The New York City Fire Department (FDNY), employing > 11,000 firefighters and nearly 3,000 emergency medical services (EMS) health-care workers (HCWs). DESIGN: In 1985, FDNY initiated a surveillance program to determine the incidence, prevalence, and severity of biopsy-proven sarcoidosis in firefighters. In 1995, EMS HCWs were added as control subjects. RESULTS: Between 1985 and 1998, 4 prior cases and 21 new cases of sarcoidosis were found in FDNY firefighters. Annual incidence proportions ranged from 0 to 43.6/100,000, and averaged 12.9/100,000. On July 1, 1998, the point prevalence was 222/100,000. For EMS HCWs, annual incidence proportions were zero. Radiographic stage 0 or stage 1 sarcoidosis was found in 19 firefighters (76%), and stage 3 was found in 1 firefighter (4%). Pulmonary function (FVC, FEV(1), and diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide) was normal in 17 firefighters (68%), and reduced to </= 65% predicted in 2 firefighters (8%). Maximum oxygen consumption (MVO(2)) was normal in 10 of 17 firefighters (59%), and reduced to 65% predicted in 3 firefighters (12%). Five of seven firefighters (71%) with abnormal MVO(2) had gas exchange abnormalities, and none had O(2) desaturation. All returned to fire fighting. CONCLUSIONS: Annual incidence proportions and point prevalence were increased in FDNY firefighters as compared to EMS HCWs and historical controls. Radiographs and physiologic measurements demonstrated only minimal impairment.
OBJECTIVE: The etiology of sarcoidosis is unknown, but epidemiology suggests that environmental agents are a factor. Because firefighters are exposed to numerous toxins, we questioned whether sarcoidosis was increased in this cohort. SETTING: The New York City Fire Department (FDNY), employing > 11,000 firefighters and nearly 3,000 emergency medical services (EMS) health-care workers (HCWs). DESIGN: In 1985, FDNY initiated a surveillance program to determine the incidence, prevalence, and severity of biopsy-proven sarcoidosis in firefighters. In 1995, EMS HCWs were added as control subjects. RESULTS: Between 1985 and 1998, 4 prior cases and 21 new cases of sarcoidosis were found in FDNY firefighters. Annual incidence proportions ranged from 0 to 43.6/100,000, and averaged 12.9/100,000. On July 1, 1998, the point prevalence was 222/100,000. For EMS HCWs, annual incidence proportions were zero. Radiographic stage 0 or stage 1 sarcoidosis was found in 19 firefighters (76%), and stage 3 was found in 1 firefighter (4%). Pulmonary function (FVC, FEV(1), and diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide) was normal in 17 firefighters (68%), and reduced to </= 65% predicted in 2 firefighters (8%). Maximum oxygen consumption (MVO(2)) was normal in 10 of 17 firefighters (59%), and reduced to 65% predicted in 3 firefighters (12%). Five of seven firefighters (71%) with abnormal MVO(2) had gas exchange abnormalities, and none had O(2) desaturation. All returned to fire fighting. CONCLUSIONS: Annual incidence proportions and point prevalence were increased in FDNY firefighters as compared to EMS HCWs and historical controls. Radiographs and physiologic measurements demonstrated only minimal impairment.
Authors: Anagha Malur; Arjun Mohan; Robert A Barrington; Nancy Leffler; Amrita Malur; Barbara Muller-Borer; Gina Murray; Kim Kew; Chuanzhen Zhou; Josh Russell; Jacob L Jones; Christopher J Wingard; Barbara P Barna; Mary Jane Thomassen Journal: Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol Date: 2019-08 Impact factor: 6.914
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Authors: Matthew McPeek; Anagha Malur; Debra A Tokarz; Kvin Lertpiriyapong; Kymberly M Gowdy; Gina Murray; Christopher J Wingard; Michael B Fessler; Barbara P Barna; Mary Jane Thomassen Journal: Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol Date: 2019-09 Impact factor: 6.914
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Authors: Anagha Malur; Barbara P Barna; Janki Patel; Matthew McPeek; Christopher J Wingard; Larry Dobbs; Mary Jane Thomassen Journal: J Nanomed Nanotechnol Date: 2015-12-27
Authors: Patompong Ungprasert; Eva M Carmona; James P Utz; Jay H Ryu; Cynthia S Crowson; Eric L Matteson Journal: Mayo Clin Proc Date: 2015-12-22 Impact factor: 7.616
Authors: Matthew McPeek; Anagha Malur; Debra A Tokarz; Gina Murray; Barbara P Barna; Mary Jane Thomassen Journal: Biochem Biophys Res Commun Date: 2018-06-15 Impact factor: 3.575