Chest CT Imaging Provides More Information Than Chest Radiography Alone in Determining Extent of Physiologic Impairment in Pulmonary Sarcoidosis

Abstract

BackgroundSarcoidosis staging has primarily relied on the Scadding chest radiographic system, although chest CT is finding increased clinical use. Research QuestionWhether standardized CT assessment provides additional understanding of lung function beyond Scadding stage and demographics is unknown and the focus of this study. Study Design and MethodsWe used the NHLBI study Genomics Research in Alpha-1 Anti-Trypsin Deficiency and Sarcoidosis (GRADS) sarcoidosis cases(N=351) with Scadding stage and Chest CT scans obtained in a standardized manner. One chest radiologist scored all CT scans with a visual scoring system, with a subset read by another chest radiologist. We compared demographic features, Scadding stage and CT findings, and correlation between these measures. Associations between spirometry and DLCO and CT and Scadding stage were determined using regression analysis (N=318). Agreement between readers was evaluated using Cohen’s Kappa. ResultsCT features were inconsistent with Scadding stage in about ∼40% of cases. Most CT features assessed on visual scoring were negatively associated with lung function. Associations persisted for FEV1 and DLCO when adjusting for Scadding stage, although some CT feature associations with FVC became insignificant. Scadding stage was primarily associated with FEV1 and inclusion of CT features reduced significance in association between Scadding and lung function. Multivariable regression modeling to identify radiologic measures explaining lung function included Scadding stage for FEV1 and FEV1/FVC (P<0.05) and marginally for DLCO (P<0.15). Combinations of CT measures accounted for Scadding stage for FVC. Correlations among Scadding and CT features were noted. Agreement between readers was poor to moderate for presence/absence of CT features and poor for degree/location of abnormality. InterpretationCT features explained additional variability in lung function beyond Scadding stage, with some CT features obviating the associations between lung function and Scadding. Whether CT features/phenotypes/endotypes could be useful for managing patients with sarcoidosis needs more study.