Comparing outcomes internationally in pulmonary sarcoidosis: PFT change by scadding stage

Introduction: Routine and international comparison of pulmonary function tests (PFTs) in patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis is lacking. Objectives: To compare PFT outcomes based on a defined outcome set, using the value-based healthcare methodology, by Scadding stages (stage I-IV) between 6 interstitial lung disease (ILD) Centers of Excellence. Methods: A recently developed outcome indicator set for patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis was used, consisting of PFT results (FEV1, FVC and DLCOc % predicted). Differences in PFT outcomes by Scadding stages were retrospectively evaluated. Linear mixed models (LMM) were estimated with changes over time as primary endpoints for comparison of outcomes between 6 ILD centers. Results: In this retrospective cohort study, 533 patients were included. Baseline FVC varied significantly between mean Scadding stages (Scadding stage 0 = 105.6% (95% CI = 75-137), stage I = 110.2% (95% CI = 81-140), stage II or III = 103.6% (95% CI = 71-133) and stage IV 85.4% (95% CI = 63-108), p= Conclusions: In our multicenter cohort we detected differences in baseline FVC %predicted between Scadding stages. Remarkably, both FVC, FEV1 and DLCOc improvement was established in all stages.