Uncontrolled epilepsy in patients requiring ED visit or hospitalization was associated with significantly greater health care resource utilization and increased direct and indirect costs compared to well-controlled epilepsy in both publicly and privately insured settings.

The health consequences of the World Trade Center collapse are unknown, but likely to be significant and may take years to fully appreciate. Sarcoidosis is a multisystem inflammatory disorder of unknown etiology characterized pathologically by noncaseating granulomas. Inciting events, such as infectious agents or possible environmental exposures, have been postulated as the source of antigen exposure initiating an inflammatory cascade. We describe 2 cases of sarcoidosis in rescue workers with significant exposure from the World Trade Center collapse, who presented with extrapulmonary rheumatologic manifestations. Our first case involved a 33-year-old white New York City man detective found to have sarcoidosis following an evaluation of diffuse joint pain. The second case involved a 40-year-old African American man, New York City officer, who presented with uveitis, and was subsequently diagnosed with sarcoidosis. These 2 cases extend the spectrum of disorders resulting from the World Trade Center disaster and illustrate the need for clinicians to be aware of the diverse presentations of sarcoidosis in this patient population.

The Sleep Functional Impact Scale (SFIS) is a psychometrically sound measure targeting the impact of insomnia on patient functioning. When administered with a sleep diary, this instrument has the ability to provide a more comprehensive assessment of treatment response in clinical studies.

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Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is rarely associated with undifferentiated connective tissue disorder. We present a patient with TTP, undifferentiated connective tissue disorder, and very high titer of anti-ribonucleoprotein antibodies. Her TTP did not respond to intravenous methylprednisolone and cyclophosphamide requiring her to remain dependent on plasmapheresis. Her disease remitted successfully after 4 doses of rituximab given at weekly intervals and she remained in continuous remission 6 months after therapy. We propose early and aggressive use of B-cell depletion therapy in TTP associated with autoimmune disorders.