Clinical, radiographic and functional predictors of pulmonary gas exchange impairment at moderate exercise in patients with sarcoidosis.

Background: Pulmonary gas exchange impairment (GEI) is a common consequence of intrathoracic sarcoidosis presenting with important therapeutic and prognostic implications.

Objective: To determine the role of clinical, radiographic and functional variables in predicting GEI during moderate exercise at the estimated lactate threshold (theta(L)) in patients with sarcoidosis.

Methods: Fifty-four outpatients (29 females) with biopsy-proven sarcoidosis had clinical evaluation (baseline dyspnea index), lung function tests and an incremental cardiopulmonary exercise test with theta(L) estimation.