Harrison's PodClass: Internal Medicine Cases and Board Prep Ep 133: A 45-Year-Old with Difficulty Climbing Stairs
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Feb 13, 2025 A young man struggles with shortness of breath, prompting an intriguing look into familial links to lung conditions. The case reveals a restrictive pulmonary defect while maintaining normal cardiac function, raising diagnostic challenges. The conversation shifts to the fascinating connection between interstitial lung disease and telomere length, highlighting its significance in prognosis. Finally, the hosts dive into telomere diseases, discussing their impact on organ function and the complexities surrounding lung fibrosis.
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Patient Presentation
- A 45-year-old man experiences worsening dyspnea and shortness of breath, impacting his active lifestyle.
- His family history includes pulmonary fibrosis in his father and uncle.
Telomere Length Testing
- Telomere length testing can explain the patient's interstitial lung disease.
- Short telomeres are linked to idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, especially with a family history.
Telomere Function
- Telomeres protect chromosome ends, shortening with age and cell division.
- Critically short telomeres trigger cell arrest and are linked to organ dysfunction.
