Mortality in sarcoidosis, results from one centre, long term observational study

Aim : The aim of the study was to examine mortality and underlying causes of death among decedents with sarcoidosis in our Department between 2007-2011. Materials and methods : The study was designed in 2007. The cohort of the patients(pts) with histologically confirmed sarcoidosis was observed. Between 2007 and 2011, 557 pts were admitted to our Department. In Jan 2014 a surveillance follow-up was performed using the Electronic Beneficiary Entitlement Verification platform provided by the National Health Insurance System. Pts who were not in the system were contacted personally to confirm their status. Results: Among 557 pts(291men, 266 women) with mean age 48,4 ±12,0 yrs, 16 died (6 women and 10 men) with mean age 57,6±7,8y. At the time of diagnosis 12pts were classified as radiological stage II, 4 pts as stage III. Extrapulmonary sarcoidosis was found in 9 pts (56%) and only 2 pts(12.5%) were not treated with steroids and/or methotrexat. Most frequent comorbidities were hypertension 12(75%), hyperlipidemia 4(25%), thyroid disease 3(18,7%), diabetes 1, chronic renal disease 1, uterine cancer 1 and aortic stenosis 1. 7 pts died of causes unrelated to sarcoidosis (cancers), whereas death was related to sarcoidosis in 7 pts. The most prevalent cause of death was advanced pulmonary involvement (5pts) with various late complications: cardiorespiratory failure, fungal infections or extrapulmonary sarcoidosis: cardiac(1pt) and central nervous system(1pt). Others causes included stroke and complications from a stenosis surgery. Conclusion: The leading cause of death in sarcoid patients in our Department were cancers, but just as often, sarcoidosis was the underlying cause of death.