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Home / The International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, Volume 17, Number 3

Sarcoidosis-associated pulmonary hypertension in patients with near-normal lung function

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SETTING: Tertiary care medical centre in Israel.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a predictor of poor outcome in patients with sarcoidosis. Early diagnosis may improve outcome.

OBJECTIVE: To determine factors that might contribute to the early diagnosis of PH in sarcoidosis patients with near normal lung function tests.

DESIGN: Retrospective patient review.

METHODS: Data from 127 patients with sarcoidosis and near normal lung function tests (forced vital capacity > 70%, forced expiratory volume in 1 second > 70% and diffusion capacity of carbon monoxide [DLCO] > 60%), who underwent high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) scan, the 6-minute walk distance (6MWD) test and echocardiogram were analysed. Demographic, clinical and HRCT findings were compared between patients with and those without PH.

RESULTS: Thirty-six patients (28.3%) had PH. Patients with PH tended to have lower DLCO (68% ± 8 vs. 75% ± 17, P = 0.038), 6MWD (308 m ± 106 vs. 486 m ± 99, P = 0.009) and exercise saturation (91 ± 4 vs. 95 ± 3, P = 0.0001) compared to those without PH. HRCT patterns in PH showed higher frequencies of interstitial thickening (P = 0.004), ground glass appearance (P = 0.01) and fibrosis (P = 0.032). In logistic regression, only 6MWD was predictive of PH (P = 0.005, 95%CI 0.970–0.995).

CONCLUSION: Physiological and radiographic characteristics appeared to differentiate patients with PH from those without. Physicians should be aware of PH in patients with sarcoidosis, even in those with near normal lung function.

Keywords: 6-minute walk distance test; fibrosis; near normal lung function; pulmonary hypertension; sarcoidosis

Document Type: Research Article

Affiliations: 1: Pulmonary Institute, Soroka University Medical Center, Beer Sheva, Israel 2: Radiological Department, Meir Medical Center, Kfar Saba, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel 3: Pulmonary Department, Meir Medical Center, Kfar Saba, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel

Publication date: 01 March 2013

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  • The International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (IJTLD) is for clinical research and epidemiological studies on lung health, including articles on TB, TB-HIV and respiratory diseases such as COVID-19, asthma, COPD, child lung health and the hazards of tobacco and air pollution. Individuals and institutes can subscribe to the IJTLD online or in print – simply email us at [email protected] for details.

    The IJTLD is dedicated to understanding lung disease and to the dissemination of knowledge leading to better lung health. To allow us to share scientific research as rapidly as possible, the IJTLD is fast-tracking the publication of certain articles as preprints prior to their publication. Read fast-track articles.

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