Publications
Below you can find a list of our published research.
Below you can find a list of our published research.
53 results
Cited 41 times since 2003 (2 per year) source: EuropePMC
Journal of neurology, Volume 250, Issue 6, 1 1 2003, Pages 698-701 The epidemiology of myasthenia gravis, Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome and their associated tumours in the northern part of the province of South Holland. Wirtz PW, Nijnuis MG, Sotodeh M, Willems LN, Brahim JJ, Putter H, Wintzen AR, Verschuuren JJ, Dutch Myasthenia Study Group
We studied the epidemiology of myasthenia gravis (MG) and the Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS), and their association with small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) and thymoma, in a well defined region of the Netherlands. Available data on all the patients with MG, LEMS, thymoma or SCLC living between 1 January 1990 and 31 December 1999 in the northern region of South Holland, with a population of 1.7 million inhabitants, were evaluated. A total of 202 patients with MG (20 with thymoma) and ten... Abstract
Cited 58 times since 2003 (2.7 per year) source: EuropePMC
Modern pathology : an official journal of the United States and Canadian Academy of Pathology, Inc, Volume 16, Issue 1, 1 1 2003, Pages 1-7 Morphological quantification of emphysema in small human lung specimens: comparison of methods and relation with clinical data. Robbesom AA, Versteeg EM, Veerkamp JH, van Krieken JH, Bulten HJ, Smits HT, Willems LN, van Herwaarden CL, Dekhuijzen PN, van Kuppevelt TH
Small human lung specimens are frequently used for cell biological studies of the pathogenesis of emphysema. In general, lung function and other clinical parameters are used to establish the presence and severity of emphysema/chronic obstructive pulmonary disease without morphological analysis of the specimens under investigation. In this study we compared three morphological methods to analyze emphysema, and evaluated whether clinical data correlate with the morphological data of individual lun... Abstract
Cited 51 times since 2000 (2.1 per year) source: EuropePMC
The Journal of asthma : official journal of the Association for the Care of Asthma, Volume 37, Issue 1, 1 1 2000, Pages 17-29 Physical and psychological correlates of functioning in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Scharloo M, Kaptein AA, Weinman JA, Willems LN, Rooijmans HG
We studied the contribution of coping and illness perceptions to outcome in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In a longitudinal study, 64 patients completed the Medical Outcomes Study Instrument and the Illness Perception Questionnaire. Data on coping and severity of illness (spirometry) were also collected. Regression analyses showed that first-time illness perceptions and coping significantly contributed to the prediction of social functioning, mental health, health p... Abstract
Cited 39 times since 1999 (1.6 per year) source: EuropePMC
American journal of respiratory and critical care medicine, Volume 160, Issue 4, 1 1 1999, Pages 1110-1118 Compliance, hysteresis, and collapsibility of human small airways. Tiddens HA, Hofhuis W, Bogaard JM, Hop WC, de Bruin H, Willems LN, de Jongste JC
We tested the hypothesis that airway wall dimensions are important determinants for the mechanical properties of airways. Lung tissue was obtained from 31 smokers with different degrees of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who were operated on for a solitary lung lesion. Segments of small airways (n = 35) were mounted on cannulas in an organ bath and inflated and deflated cyclically between +15 and -15 cm H(2)O. For each airway this was done at baseline, after methacholine, and after... Abstract
Cited 467 times since 1999 (18.6 per year) source: EuropePMC
American journal of respiratory and critical care medicine, Volume 159, Issue 4 Pt 1, 1 1 1999, Pages 1043-1051 Clinical control and histopathologic outcome of asthma when using airway hyperresponsiveness as an additional guide to long-term treatment. The AMPUL Study Group. Sont JK, Willems LN, Bel EH, van Krieken JH, Vandenbroucke JP, Sterk PJ
According to international guidelines, the level and adjustment of antiinflammatory treatment for asthma are based solely on symptoms and lung function. We investigated whether a treatment strategy aimed at reducing airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR strategy) in addition to the recommendations in the existing guidelines (reference strategy) led to: (1) more effective control of asthma; and (2) greater improvement of chronic airways inflammation. To accomplish this, we conducted a randomized, prosp... Abstract
Cited 221 times since 1998 (8.5 per year) source: EuropePMC
Journal of psychosomatic research, Volume 44, Issue 5, 1 1 1998, Pages 573-585 Illness perceptions, coping and functioning in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and psoriasis. Scharloo M, Kaptein AA, Weinman J, Hazes JM, Willems LN, Bergman W, Rooijmans HG
The present cross-sectional study analyzed the extent to which illness perceptions and coping strategies (as measured by the Illness Perception Questionnaire and the Utrecht Coping List, respectively) are associated with levels of daily functioning, as indicated by the Medical Outcomes Study SF-20, and disease-specific measures in 244 adults: 84 with rheumatoid arthritis (RA); 80 with chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD); and 80 with psoriasis. The results of stepwise regression analyses indi... Abstract
Cited 5 times since 1998 (0.2 per year) source: EuropePMC
Inflammation, Volume 22, Issue 2, 1 1 1998, Pages 229-242 Expression of adhesion molecules on granulocytes and monocytes from patients with asthma stimulated in vitro with interleukin-8 and monocyte chemotactic protein-1. Verdegaal EM, Zegveld ST, Blokland I, Beekhuizen H, Bakker W, Willems LN, van Furth R
Upregulation of adhesion molecule expression on endothelial cells (EC) and circulating leukocytes, by locally produced inflammatory mediators, may result in the enhanced infiltration of leukocytes into tissue, e.g. the airways of asthma patients. The present study investigates whether the expression of adhesion molecules on granulocytes and monocytes from asthma patients is affected by chemotactic factors, i.e. interleukin-8 (IL-8) and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1). Flow cytometric anal... Abstract
Cited 2 times since 1998 (0.1 per year) source: EuropePMC
The Netherlands journal of medicine, Volume 52, Issue 2, 1 1 1998, Pages 65-70 Pretreatment serum LDH as additional staging parameter in small-cell lung carcinoma. Stokkel MP, van Eck-Smit BL, Zwinderman AH, Willems LN, Pauwels EK
Background: In patients with limited disease staged small-cell lung cancer (SCLC), overall survival is still poor. Therefore, a retrospective study was carried out of 48 patients with limited disease staged SCLC to select a parameter which can identify prognostic subgroups at the time of diagnosis. Materials and methods: Follow-up varied from 3 to 96 months during which 38 patients died. Based on clinical outcome, patients were clustered into three groups: complete remission (CR) (n = 16); local... Abstract
Cited 10 times since 1998 (0.4 per year) source: EuropePMC
Journal of cancer research and clinical oncology, Volume 124, Issue 3-4, 1 1 1998, Pages 215-219 Pretreatment serum lactate dehydrogenase as additional staging parameter in patients with small-cell lung carcinoma. Stokkel MP, van Eck-Smit BL, Zwinderman AH, Willems LN, Pauwels EK
Purpose: At present the standard staging procedure in patients with small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) is extensive, expensive and time-consuming. Furthermore, the predictive and prognostic value of the current staging system is poor. To determine the value of pretreatment clinical and biochemical parameters to predict tumour stage and to assess prognosis, a retrospective study was performed of 121 consecutive patients with newly diagnosed SCLC. Methods: On the basis of routine diagnostic procedures,... Abstract
Cited 20 times since 1997 (0.8 per year) source: EuropePMC
The European respiratory journal, Volume 10, Issue 11, 1 1 1997, Pages 2602-2608 Repeatability of measures of inflammatory cell number in bronchial biopsies in atopic asthma. Sont JK, Willems LN, Evertse CE, Hooijer R, Sterk PJ, van Krieken JH
Airway pathology is increasingly considered to be a major outcome in asthma research. The aim of this study was to examine the intra-observer, within-section and between-biopsy repeatability, together with the implications for statistical power of a computerized quantitative analysis of inflammatory cell numbers in the lamina propria in bronchial biopsy specimens from atopic asthmatic subjects. Thirty six atopic adults (aged 19-40 yrs) with mild to moderate asthma (baseline forced expiratory vol... Abstract
Cited 3 times since 1997 (0.1 per year) source: EuropePMC
The International journal of biological markers, Volume 12, Issue 4, 1 1 1997, Pages 162-167 The diagnostic value of pretreatment serum LDH in patients with limited disease small-cell lung carcinoma. Stokkel MP, Van Eck-Smit BL, Zwinderman AH, Willems LN, Pauwels EK
Background: In patients with limited disease SCLC, the overall survival is still poor. Therefore, a retrospective study was performed involving 48 patients with limited disease SCLC to select a parameter which can identify prognostic subgroups at the time of diagnosis. Materials and methods: Follow-up ranged from 3 to 96 months, during which period 38 patients died. Based on clinical outcome, patients were classified into 3 groups: complete remission (CR) (n = 16), local recurrence (LOC) (n = 7)... Abstract
Cited 76 times since 1997 (2.8 per year) source: EuropePMC
Clinical and experimental allergy : journal of the British Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Volume 27, Issue 7, 1 1 1997, Pages 769-779 Comparison of inflammatory cell counts in asthma: induced sputum vs bronchoalveolar lavage and bronchial biopsies. Grootendorst DC, Sont JK, Willems LN, Kluin-Nelemans JC, Van Krieken JH, Veselic-Charvat M, Sterk PJ
Background: Induced sputum potentially allows monitoring of airway inflammation in patients with asthma in a non-invasive way. However, the relationship between the cellular content in sputum and airway tissue has not been fully clarified. Objective: We compared the cellular compositions of hypertonic saline-induced sputum, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BAL) and bronchial biopsies in 18 clinically stable patients with mild to moderate atopic asthma (baseline FEV1: range 61-114%pred, PC20 methach... Abstract
Cited 21 times since 1997 (0.8 per year) source: EuropePMC
American journal of respiratory cell and molecular biology, Volume 16, Issue 5, 1 1 1997, Pages 549-556 Enhanced expression of neutral endopeptidase (NEP) in airway epithelium in biopsies from steroid- versus nonsteroid-treated patients with atopic asthma. Sont JK, van Krieken JH, van Klink HC, Roldaan AC, Apap CR, Willems LN, Sterk PJ
The expression of the endogenous neuropeptide-degrading enzyme, neutral endopeptidase (NEP; CALLA, CD10, E.C.3.4.24.11) on cultured human airway epithelial cells can be upregulated by corticosteroids. We examined whether NEP expression in the airway epithelium or lamina propria in bronchial biopsies is enhanced in atopic asthmatics on regular inhaled steroids as compared with those without steroid treatment. Forty nonsmoking adults (age 19 to 48 yr) with mild to moderate asthma (forced expirator... Abstract
Cited 75 times since 1997 (2.8 per year) source: EuropePMC
Respiratory medicine, Volume 91, Issue 5, 1 1 1997, Pages 297-309 The development of the 'Quality-of-life for Respiratory Illness Questionnaire (QOL-RIQ)': a disease-specific quality-of-life questionnaire for patients with mild to moderate chronic non-specific lung disease. Maillé AR, Koning CJ, Zwinderman AH, Willems LN, Dijkman JH, Kaptein AA
Chronic non-specific lung disease (CNSLD) encompasses asthma as well as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Recently in health care, there has been increasing awareness in the functional, psychological and social aspects of the health of patients; their quality of life (QOL). Quality-of-life research addressing CNSLD patients has been rather underdeveloped for a long period of time. Recently, however, the importance of QOL is being increasingly recognized, and several research groups h... Abstract
Cited 41 times since 1997 (1.5 per year) source: EuropePMC
Thorax, Volume 52, Issue 2, 1 1 1997, Pages 149-152 Association of anxiety with perception of histamine induced bronchoconstriction in patients with asthma. Spinhoven P, van Peski-Oosterbaan AS, Van der Does AJ, Willems LN, Sterk PJ
Background: The perception of bronchoconstriction varies among patients with asthma and this perception may be related to the covariation of sensory and affective aspects of dyspnoea. A study was performed to evaluate whether there are differences in the perception of histamine induced bronchoconstriction between anxious and non-anxious perceivers and whether anxious perception of bronchoconstriction can be predicted by higher levels of baseline anxiety. Methods: Seventy eight asthmatic subjects... Abstract
Nederlands tijdschrift voor geneeskunde, Volume 140, Issue 46, 1 1 1996, Pages 2261-2262 [All lung tumors are not the same]. Stolk J, van Klink HC, Willems LN
Cited 11 times since 1996 (0.4 per year) source: EuropePMC
Annals of hematology, Volume 73, Issue 4, 1 1 1996, Pages 183-188 Hb Malmö [beta-97(FG-4)His-->Gln] leading to polycythemia in a Dutch family. Giordano PC, Harteveld CL, Brand A, Willems LN, Kluin-Nelemans HC, Plug RJ, Batelaan DN, Bernini LF
We have examined six individuals from a two-generation Dutch family for a suspected hemoglobin (Hb) abnormality. The propositus presented with polycythemia and complained of persistent weakness, headache, and epistaxis. All family members initially showed a normal Hb-electrophoretic pattern, but on isoelectric focusing, three of them displayed a fast-moving band associated with high packed red cell volumes (PCV) and increased red blood cell count. The Hb mutant was analyzed at the DNA level by s... Abstract
Cited 1 times since 1996 (0 per year) source: EuropePMC
Nederlands tijdschrift voor geneeskunde, Volume 140, Issue 29, 1 1 1996, Pages 1504-1508 [Good results of outpatient pulmonary rehabilitation: 2-year experience in the Rijnlands Zeehospitium in Katwijk]. Bruinings AL, Bauer H, Mensen EA, Willems LN
Objective: To describe the results of outpatient pulmonary rehabilitation of patients with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Design: Descriptive. Setting: Rijnlands Zeehospitium, Katwijk, the Netherlands. Methods: In the period June 1991-September 1993, 64 patients participated in pulmonary rehabilitation. They were divided into three groups according to the results of spirometry: group I: FEV1 > 60% of predicted value; group 2: FEV1 40-60%; group 3: FEV1 < 40%. Data... Abstract
Cited 143 times since 1996 (5.1 per year) source: EuropePMC
Thorax, Volume 51, Issue 5, 1 1 1996, Pages 496-502 Relationship between the inflammatory infiltrate in bronchial biopsy specimens and clinical severity of asthma in patients treated with inhaled steroids. Sont JK, Han J, van Krieken JM, Evertse CE, Hooijer R, Willems LN, Sterk PJ
Background: Current guidelines on the management of asthma advocate the use of anti-inflammatory treatment in all but mild disease. They define disease control in terms of clinical criteria such as lung function and symptoms. However, the relationship between the clinical control of the disease and inflammation of the airways is not clear. A cross sectional study was therefore undertaken to investigate the relationship between airways inflammation and measures of clinical control and bronchial h... Abstract
Cited 12 times since 1996 (0.4 per year) source: EuropePMC
Journal of internal medicine, Volume 239, Issue 4, 1 1 1996, Pages 361-363 Interstitial lung disease with pleural effusion caused by simvastin. De Groot RE, Willems LN, Dijkman JH
Simvastin, a HMG-CoA reductase blocker, is used for the treatment of certain forms of hypercholesterolaemia. Simvastin is prescribed to lower high serum levels of cholesterol by inhibiting a specific enzyme, hydroxy-methylglutarylCo-enzym-A (HMG-CoA) reductase. This ultimately leads to an increase of the number of LDL-receptors in the liver, and thus, to a decrease of the serum LDL-cholesterol. To a much lesser extent it lowers the serum VLDL-cholesterol and makes the serum HDL-cholesterol level... Abstract