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. J2L82JS/20080H0932R4502 - 2 -