PRINTER'S NO. 4502
No. 932 Session of 2008
INTRODUCED BY GRELL, BEYER, BRENNAN, DiGIROLAMO, ELLIS, GEIST,
GEORGE, GINGRICH, GOODMAN, HARHART, HARRIS, HELM, HENNESSEY,
HERSHEY, HESS, JAMES, KORTZ, MAJOR, MANTZ, MARSICO,
McILHATTAN, MICOZZIE, MILLARD, MOYER, MUSTIO, NAILOR,
PALLONE, PAYNE, QUINN, RAPP, READSHAW, ROSS, SAYLOR,
SCAVELLO, SIPTROTH, SONNEY, SWANGER, VULAKOVICH AND ROCK,
OCTOBER 6, 2008
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35,
OCTOBER 6, 2008
A RESOLUTION
1 Designating October 30, 2008, as "Cogan's Syndrome Awareness
2 Day" in Pennsylvania.
3 WHEREAS, Cogan's syndrome is thought to be an autoimmune
4 disorder characterized by interstitial keratitis, or
5 inflammation of the cornea, hearing problems and dizziness that
6 develop in children and young adults shortly after their
7 recovery from an otherwise unremarkable respiratory infection;
8 and
9 WHEREAS, At the onset of Cogan's syndrome, patients
10 experience red, painful and light-sensitive eyes and blurred
11 vision; and
12 WHEREAS, Shortly following the ocular symptoms, patients
13 develop dizziness, balance problems, ringing in the ears and
14 hearing loss; and
15 WHEREAS, The symptoms of Cogan's syndrome can progress
1 rapidly to bilateral deafness that can become permanent within
2 two years; and
3 WHEREAS, Complications of Cogan's syndrome can lead to
4 systemic cardiac and vascular problems that, in a small number
5 of cases, are fatal; and
6 WHEREAS, Cogan's syndrome primarily targets children and
7 young adults 20 to 30 years of age; and
8 WHEREAS, Cogan's syndrome frequently occurs after an
9 influenza-like infection, and although no definitive infectious
10 agent has been established as a precursor of Cogan's syndrome,
11 several studies show an association with a previous chlamydia
12 infection; and
13 WHEREAS, Many people with Cogan's syndrome have permanent
14 visual or hearing damage, however, most patients are able to
15 manage their symptoms and limit complications of the disease
16 with treatment; therefore be it
17 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate October
18 30, 2008, as "Cogan's Syndrome Awareness Day" in Pennsylvania
19 and urge all citizens of this Commonwealth to learn about this
20 disease.
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