The 5th International WASOG Conference on Diffuse Lung Diseases will focus on the immunopathogenesis, diagnosis, genetics, phenotypic expression, treatment, and prognosis of diffuse lung diseases. These diseases include interstitial lung diseases, granulomatous diseases, drug and occupational induced lung diseases, lung diseases related to collagen vascular diseases and/or vasculitis, and alveolar filling diseases. International experts in these areas will lecture, and poster sessions will be planned as well.

This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education though the joint sponsorship of Medical University of South Carolina, College of Medicine and WASOG (World Association of Sarcoidosis and Other Granulomatous Diseases).  The Medical University of South Carolina is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The Medical University of South Carolina designates this educational activity for maximum of 16.9 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Course Objectives for the 5^th  Annual WASOG Conference on Diffuse Lung Diseases

1. Outline the treatment approaches to IPF, NSIP secondary to collagen vascular diseases, and sarcoidosis based on medical evidence.
2. Discuss the mechanisms and treatment of scleroderma as well as the clinical aspects of pulmonary hypertension associated with scleroderma.
3. Discuss the importance and ways to measure health related quality of life in interstitial lung diseases.
4. Outline current knowledge concerning the genetic aspects of IPF, sarcoidosis, and familial interstitial lung diseases.
5. Discuss the pathophysiology and the clinical aspects of pulmonary hypertension in IPF, sarcoidosis, and interstitial lung idseases related to collagen vascular diseases.
6. Discuss how to use clinical data, radiographic findings, bronchoalveolar lavage findings, and lung biopsy in the diagnosis of interstitial lung diseases.
7. Outline the general proposed pathogenic mechanisms of interstitial lung diseases including genetic, cytokine, and proteomic aspects.
8. List the clinical aspects of Wegener’s granulomatosis and related pulmonary vasculitis syndromes.
9. Outline the relationship of chonic beryllium disease to the etiology of sarcoidosis, current understanding of biomarkers in sarcoidosis, potential future therapies in sarcoidosis, the relationship of HLA to the phenotypic expression of sarcoidosis, and the approach to the diagnosis of sarcoidosis.