Sarcoidosis on Associated With Higher Mortality vs COPD, IPF on Transplant List

Patients with sarcoidosis on the lung transplant waiting list had a higher rate of mortality than patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) despite similar Lung Allocation Scores (LAS), according to study results published in the journal Respiratory Medicine.

The mortality rates of patients with sarcoidosis waiting for a lung transplant were compared with those of patients with COPD or IPF and also compared between groups. Change in the LAS, which is currently used to determine organ allocation, was similar between groups. Baseline listing characteristics such as physiologic testing and outcomes data were also examined.

Of the 33 patients with sarcoidosis listed for lung transplantation, 28 either received their transplant or died while on the waiting list. Of those 28 included in the analysis, the mortality rate was 18.2%. In comparison, there was a 12.3% mortality rate among listed patients with IPF and an 8.7% mortality rate among listed patients with COPD at the same facility during the same timeframe.

The researchers concluded that patients at their center with sarcoidosis on the lung transplant waitlist experienced higher mortality than patients with IPF. “The listing LAS and change in LAS did not predict death on the wait list and may point to a limitation in the LAS’ applicability to this group,” they wrote.

Reference

Gangemi AJ, Myers CN, Zheng M, et al. Mortality for sarcoidosis patients on the transplant wait list in the Lung Allocation Score era: Experience from a high volume center.  Respir Med. 2019;157:69-76.