Short telomeres, telomeropathy, and subclinical extrapulmonary organ damage in patients with interstitial lung disease
BACKGROUND Human telomere disease consists of a wide spectrum of disorders,
including pulmonary, hepatic, and bone marrow abnormalities. The extent of bone marrow
and liver abnormalities in patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD) and short telomeres is
unknown. METHODS The lung transplant clinic established a prospective protocol to identify
short telomeres in patients with ILD not related to connective tissue disease or sarcoidosis.
Patients with short telomeres underwent bone marrow biopsies, liver biopsies, or both as …
including pulmonary, hepatic, and bone marrow abnormalities. The extent of bone marrow
and liver abnormalities in patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD) and short telomeres is
unknown. METHODS The lung transplant clinic established a prospective protocol to identify
short telomeres in patients with ILD not related to connective tissue disease or sarcoidosis.
Patients with short telomeres underwent bone marrow biopsies, liver biopsies, or both as …