INDEX idiopathic

In a retrospective study, the fasting glucoserinsulin ratio, a marker of insulin resistance, fell more in girls with Turner syndrome than in children with idiopathic short stature during somatropin therapy. The lower glu-coserinsulin ratio was due to increased fasting insulin and correlated with increased body mass index (49). 

In patients suspected of having demyelinating disease, laboratory testing may be beneficial. Testing of the CSF may reveal oligoclonal IgG bands consistent with MS. Minor pleocytosis may occur. In addition, an increase in the IgG index and oligoclonal bands is of value in the differential diagnosis. Elevated titers of antimyelin basic protein are also correlated with acute idiopathic optic neuropathy and relapses of MS. 

Treatment of asbestosis and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis with colchicine (0.6 mg orally for 12 weeks) resulted in declines in dyspnoea index, selective improvement in several high-resolution computed tomography scans, but no statistically significant changes in bronchoalveolar lavage cells, cytokines, fibronectin, or hydroxyproline (Addriz-zo-Harris et al. 2002). However, there was a decline in hydroxyproline in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in 8 of 10 patients. 

Wells AU, Desai SR, Rubens MB, et al. Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis a composite physiologic index derived fi"om disease extent observed by computed tomography. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2003 167(7) 962-969. 

---