Objective
To evaluate the risk and pattern of multimorbidity in patients with sarcoidosis.
Methods
A cohort of Olmsted County, Minnesota residents first diagnosed with sarcoidosis between January 1, 1976 and December 31, 2013 was identified through the medical record-linkage system of the Rochester Epidemiology Project. Diagnosis was verified based on individual medical record review. A cohort of sex and age-matched comparators without sarcoidosis was assembled from the same population. Data on 18 chronic conditions recommended by the United States Department of Health and Human Services for both cases and comparators were retrieved and compared.
Results
The prevalence of multimorbidity (i.e., the presence of 2 or more chronic conditions) was similar between the 2 groups (111/345 cases and 110/345 comparator, P=.99). After index date, 156 cases and 142 comparators developed multimorbidity, corresponding to HR of 1.60 (95% CI, 1.27 – 2.01; P<.001). The cumulative incidence of the presence of ≥ 3, 4 and 5 chronic conditions was also consistently significantly higher among cases than comparators. Analysis by specific type of chronic condition revealed a significantly higher cumulative incidence of coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, arrhythmia, stroke/transient ischemic attack, arthritis, depression, diabetes and major osteoporotic fracture.
Conclusion
In this population, patients with sarcoidosis had a significantly higher risk of developing multimorbidity compared with sex and age-matched subjects without sarcoidosis.