lung function tests in sarcoidosis

Last reviewed 01/2018

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).

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