One-year lung function decline in sarcoidosis.

BACKGROUND

The definition of progressive pulmonary fibrosis is based on a 1-year lung function decline.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the epidemiology and clinical relevance of 1-year lung function decline in sarcoidosis.

METHODS

A retrospective observational study at a general sarcoidosis clinic.

RESULTS

Of the 198 patients, 42 (18.4 %) had a 1-year lung function decline (absolute 12-month decline in percentage predicted forced vital capacity [%FVC] of ≥5 % or percentage predicted diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide [%DLCO] of ≥10 %). A 1-year lung function decline was associated with a 2-year lung function decline (a relative 24-month decline in %FVC of ≥10 % or %DLCO of ≥15 %), which occurred in 13 (7.4 %) of the 175 patients with 24-month follow-up results. A 1-year lung function decline was not associated with survival; a 2-year lung function decline predicted mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

Compared with a 24-month decline, a 12-month decline in lung function did not predict worse survival in sarcoidosis.