Early neutrophil concentrations in blood drawn within 6 months of exposure were a risk factor for progressive sinusitis. Despite treatment, those affected continue to experience morbidity and reduced quality of life, while screening continues to identify new cases. Development of models, using an inexpensive, biomarker (complete blood count or CBC) that predicts disease severity and progression may enable earlier and more aggressive interventions to improve the health of World Trade Center (WTC)-exposed subjects. This may improve the quality of life of those with high risk of proceeding to sinus surgery. This may also avoid radiation exposure to those at low risk.
Kwon S, Putman B, Weakley J, et al. 2016. Blood eosinophils and World Trade Center exposure predict surgery in chronic rhinosinusitis. A 13.5-year longitudinal study. Annals of the American Thoracic Society. 13(8):1253–61.
Weiden M, Kwon S, Caraher E, et al. 2016. Biomarkers of World Trade Center particulate matter exposure: Physiology of distal airway and blood biomarkers that predict FEV(1) decline. Seminars in Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. 36(3):323–333.
Zeig-Owens R, Nolan A, Putman B, et al. 2016. [review] Biomarkers of patient intrinsic risk for upper and lower airway injury after exposure to the World Trade Center atrocity. American Journal of Industrial Medicine. 59(9):788–894.
Zeig-Owens R, Singh A, Aldrich TK, et al. 2018. Blood Leukocyte Concentrations, FEV1 Decline, and Airflow Limitation: A 15-Year Longitudinal Study of WTC-Exposed Firefighters. Annals of the American Thoracic Society. Annals of the American Thoracic Society. 15(2):173–183.
