Table 2.

Framework for diagnosis and management of common extrahematopoietic complications of the short telomere syndromes

Immunodeficiency 
  • At short telomere syndrome diagnosis, consider the following:

  •  • Lymphocyte subsets

  •  • Immunoglobulin levels (infants and where otherwise indicated clinically)

  • Management of severe immunodeficiency:

  •  • Refer to center with experience in allogeneic stem cell transplant in patients with short telomere syndromes

  •  • Consultation with infectious disease specialist when indicated

 
Hepatopulmonary syndrome 
  • At short telomere syndrome diagnosis:

  •  • Regular (1-2 y) history and physical examination to assess for symptoms and check for digital clubbing

  • Diagnostic evaluation of dyspnea:

  •  • Agitated saline echocardiogram

  •  • Pulmonary function test with DLCO and assess for discordance with spirometry

  • Management:

  •  • Refer to experienced liver transplant center

 
Telomere-related lung disease 
  • At short telomere syndrome diagnosis:

  •  • Educate and counsel patients to seek attention for symptoms of dyspnea/cough

  •  • Discuss risks and benefits of high-resolution CT of the chest in asymptomatic individuals aged >40 y

  •  • Counsel on avoidance of environmental toxins (smoking) and oxygen (iatrogenic during elective procedures)

  • Management:

  •  • Refer to pulmonologist with experience with telomere disorders

  •  • Avoid immunosuppression as therapeutic strategy

  •  • Evaluate for lung transplant at experienced center when patient is eligible

 
Immunodeficiency 
  • At short telomere syndrome diagnosis, consider the following:

  •  • Lymphocyte subsets

  •  • Immunoglobulin levels (infants and where otherwise indicated clinically)

  • Management of severe immunodeficiency:

  •  • Refer to center with experience in allogeneic stem cell transplant in patients with short telomere syndromes

  •  • Consultation with infectious disease specialist when indicated

 
Hepatopulmonary syndrome 
  • At short telomere syndrome diagnosis:

  •  • Regular (1-2 y) history and physical examination to assess for symptoms and check for digital clubbing

  • Diagnostic evaluation of dyspnea:

  •  • Agitated saline echocardiogram

  •  • Pulmonary function test with DLCO and assess for discordance with spirometry

  • Management:

  •  • Refer to experienced liver transplant center

 
Telomere-related lung disease 
  • At short telomere syndrome diagnosis:

  •  • Educate and counsel patients to seek attention for symptoms of dyspnea/cough

  •  • Discuss risks and benefits of high-resolution CT of the chest in asymptomatic individuals aged >40 y

  •  • Counsel on avoidance of environmental toxins (smoking) and oxygen (iatrogenic during elective procedures)

  • Management:

  •  • Refer to pulmonologist with experience with telomere disorders

  •  • Avoid immunosuppression as therapeutic strategy

  •  • Evaluate for lung transplant at experienced center when patient is eligible

 

DLCO, carbon monoxide diffusion capacity.

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