Circulating D dimer in patients with sarcoidosis

Study objectives: To determine the relationship between D dimer (DD) status and markers of disease activity ill 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 le, cl (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 PVC or the FEV1. 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.