Lung function tests in sarcoidosis

The severity of lung disease, disease progression and response to treatment can be measured by lung function test (1). They may be normal in milder disease but abnormalities are seen approximately in

• 20% of patients with stage 1 sarcoidosis
• 11-80% of patients with stage 2, 3 and 4 sarcoidosis (1,2)

Airflow obstruction is reported in 11-57% of patients with sarcoidosis, with probably a lower prevalence in non-smokers.

Lung function impairment correlates only modestly with chest radiography and HRCT scanning (1).

Baseline lung function parameters do not usually predict long term mortality (1).

Reference:

• 1. Dempsey OJ et al. Sarcoidosis. BMJ. 2009 Aug 28;339:b3206
• 2. Bradley B et al.Interstitial lung disease guideline: the British Thoracic Society in collaboration with the Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand and the Irish Thoracic Society. Thorax. 2008;63 Suppl 5:v1-58.