Distinctive clinical, radiographic, and functional characteristics of patients with sarcoidosis-related pulmonary hypertension.
OBJECTIVE
To differentiate the clinical, radiographic, and physiologic profile in patients with sarcoidosis with and without pulmonary hypertension.


METHODS
Retrospective survey.


METHODS
Tertiary care center.


METHODS
One hundred six patients with sarcoidosis were classified by two-dimensional echocardiography into two groups: group 1, 54 patients with pulmonary hypertension; group 2, 52 patients without pulmonary hypertension.


METHODS
Patients underwent two-dimensional and Doppler echocardiography, chest radiography (CXR), pulmonary function testing, and arterial oxygen saturation determination, and the test results were compared between the two groups. Statistical analysis was performed using independent-sample t test and chi2 test, as appropriate; p < 0.05 was considered to be significant.


RESULTS
Predicted spirometric values and lung diffusing capacity were significantly lower in patients in group 1 compared to patients in group 2: FVC, 54% vs 64% (p = 0.0065), FEV(1), 47% vs 61% (p = 0.0005), forced expiratory flow, midexpiratory phase, 35% vs 52% (p = 0.0363), and single-breath diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (D(LCO)sb), 39% vs 54% (p = 0.0001). Sixty percent of patients in group 1 had radiographic Scadding stage 4 sarcoidosis, while no radiographic stage predominated in group 2. Arterial oxygen saturation, need for oxygen supplementation, and degree of desaturation after exercise did not differ between groups.


CONCLUSIONS
The presence of pulmonary hypertension in patients with sarcoidosis is associated with higher prevalence of stage 4 sarcoidosis by CXR and lower predicted spirometric and D(LCO)sb measurements.
Sulica
Roxana
R
Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Division, Mount Sinai Medical Center, One Gustave L. Levy Place, Box 1232, New York, NY 10029, USA.
Teirstein
Alvin S
AS
Kakarla
Shudhir
S
Nemani
Nimish
N
Behnegar
Anousheh
A
Padilla
Maria L
ML
D015331:Cohort Studies; D004452:Echocardiography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006976:Hypertension, Pulmonary / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D017565:Sarcoidosis, Pulmonary / Q000150:complications*