Circulating D dimer in patients with sarcoidosis.

STUDY OBJECTIVES

To determine the relationship between D dimer (DD) status and markers of disease activity in patients with sarcoidosis.

DESIGN

Prospective, observational analysis.

SETTING

Pulmonary clinic of a tertiary care, university-affiliated hospital.

PATIENTS

Consecutive individuals with newly diagnosed sarcoidosis.

INTERVENTION

Determination of serum DD.

MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS

The study cohort included 28 subjects, and DD was present in 39.3%. DD status correlated with the radiographic stage of disease (p = 0. 035), diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (p = 0.026), serum angiotensin-converting enzyme level (p = 0.006), and the presence of dyspnea (p = 0.034). Patients with circulating DD were 3. 8 times more likely to have radiographic evidence of interstitial involvement. DD was not associated with either FVC or the FEV(1).

CONCLUSIONS

DD is frequently positive in patients with sarcoidosis. DD is associated with disease activity as measured by radiograph, pulmonary function tests, and serum markers of inflammation.