Ventilatory disturbances in patients with intrathoracic sarcoidosis – a study from a functional and morphological perspective

Ventilatory disturbances in patients with intrathoracic sarcoidosis – a study from a functional and morphological perspective

Authors

  • Diana Calaras Nicolae Testemitanu State Medical and Pharmaceutical University
  • Oxana Munteanu Nicolae Testemitanu State Medical and Pharmaceutical University
  • Valentina Scaletchi Phthisiopneumology Institute "Chiril Draganiuc"
  • Iurie Simionica Phthisiopneumology Institute "Chiril Draganiuc"
  • Victor Botnaru Nicolae Testemitanu State Medical and Pharmaceutical University

Keywords:

Sarcoidosis, Spirometry, Obstruction

Abstract

 Background: Although sarcoidosis is commonly considered a restrictive disorder, more recent studies demonstrated opposite results. Objectives: To determine the prevalent functional pattern in patients with intrathoracic sarcoidosis and to assess the role of granulomatous inflammation in determining ventilatory disturbances. Methods: We included 144 consecutive newly diagnosed patients with sarcoidosis, who were evaluated by chest radiography, chest high resolution computer tomography, pulmonary function tests and dyspnea score. Additionally, endobronchial and transbronchial biopsies were performed to a subset of 78 patients. Results: We obtained a wide range of ventilatory abnormalities that characterize airways impairment: FEV1/FVC<70% - in 14 (9.7%) cases, low MMEF25-75 - in 69 (47.9%) patients, increased RV/TLC - in 65 (45.1%) subjects, while the subjects with restrictive defects was observed in a minority of cases - 7 (4.9%). Decreased DLCO was found in 100 (69.4%) individuals, in the majority of cases with mild changes. Patients in whom endobronchial biopsy showed granuloma had worse ventilatory results versus those in whom they have not been detected, with significant differences in FEV1 and MMEF25-75. We found significant correlations between radiological stage and pulmonary function tests. Dyspnea score (mMRC scale) in our cohort reflected lung volumes and DLCO modifications. Conclusion: The dominant functional abnormality in patients with intrathoracic sarcoidosis is obstruction, which affects the entire length of the bronchial tree causing a wide range of airways impairment and altered gas diffusion. These functional disturbances are prevalent from early stages of the disease and have a tendency to coexist with restriction as the disease advances. Granulomatous inflammation seems to have an important role in determining obstructive defect, even from “infra-radiological” stages. 

Author Biographies

Diana Calaras, Nicolae Testemitanu State Medical and Pharmaceutical University

Department of Pneumology and Allergology, assistant professor

Oxana Munteanu, Nicolae Testemitanu State Medical and Pharmaceutical University

Department of Pneumology and Allergology, associate professor

Valentina Scaletchi, Phthisiopneumology Institute "Chiril Draganiuc"

Department of Functional and Endoscopic Evaluation, pneumologist

Iurie Simionica, Phthisiopneumology Institute "Chiril Draganiuc"

Department of Functional and Endoscopic Evaluation, associate professor

Victor Botnaru, Nicolae Testemitanu State Medical and Pharmaceutical University

Department of Pneumology and Allergology, professor

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Published

28-04-2017

Issue

Section

Original Articles: Clinical Research

How to Cite

1.
Calaras D, Munteanu O, Scaletchi V, Simionica I, Botnaru V. Ventilatory disturbances in patients with intrathoracic sarcoidosis – a study from a functional and morphological perspective. Sarcoidosis Vasc Diffuse Lung Dis [Internet]. 2017 Apr. 28 [cited 2025 Apr. 2];34(1):58-67. Available from: https://mattioli1885journals.com/index.php/sarcoidosis/article/view/5134