Physical Functioning and Symptoms of Chronic Fatigue in Sarcoidosis Patients

Abstract

Scientific reports underscore the importance of measuring the health-related quality of life in sarcoidosis patients. The present study seeks to define how sarcoidosis patients' quality of life, daily physical activity, and physical performance are related to each other. Seventeen patients (mean age 46.8 ± 8.8 years) suffering from sarcoidosis completed the following questionnaires: the fatigue assessment scale (FAS), the quality of life scale (SF-36 questionnaire), and the Borg dyspnea scale. Physical activity (PA) was assessed using accelerometry. Respiratory function, consisting of forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second as a percentage of vital capacity (FEV1/%FVC), and diffusing capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide (DL), were assessed. In addition, performance in 6-min walk test (MWT), aerobic capacity assessed from maximal oxygen uptake (VOmax), and the metabolic equivalent of task (MET) were evaluated. We found that daily PA (4566 ± 2378 steps/day) and VOmax (21.8 ± 5.9 ml/kg/min) were lower in sarcoidosis patients than the known predicted values in healthy age-matched individuals. There were significant inverse associations between the FAS score and 6MWT (r = -0.62; p < 0.01), and between SF-36 score and 6MWT (r = -0.55; p < 0.03). In contrast, SF-36 scores associated with fatigue and dyspnea scores (r = 0.72; p < 0.001 and r = 0.85; p < 0.001). These findings imply that sarcoidosis patients are less active compared with healthy subjects. The FAS and SF-36 scales seem to be effective tools for assessing the severity of fatigue in sarcoidosis patients.

Daily life physical activity in patients with chronic stage IV sarcoidosis: A multicenter cohort study

“…The results of this study show that DL PA is decreased in adult patients with stage IV sarcoidosis and that SPD is significantly associated with VO 2 max. Our results are in agreement with three previous studies evaluating physical activity in patients with sarcoidosis . Kostorz et al evaluated the comorbidities associated with DL PA in 30 patients with sarcoidosis, albeit without precise radiological staging and found that the patients had walked a mean (±SD) SPD of 5214 (±2699).…”

“…Kostorz et al evaluated the comorbidities associated with DL PA in 30 patients with sarcoidosis, albeit without precise radiological staging and found that the patients had walked a mean (±SD) SPD of 5214 (±2699). Pilzak et al found that patients with sarcoidosis not only showed low mean SPD (4566 ± 2378) but also displayed reduced exercise tolerance, as measured by the VO 2 max and 6MWT . However, that study did not examine correlations between DL PA and pulmonary function, exercise tolerance, or mood parameters (anxiety and depression).…”

“…Little is known about DL PA in patients with chronic sarcoidosis . Saligan showed a reduction in physical activity associated with fatigue, depressive symptoms, and a shorter distance in the 6‐minute walk test (6MWT), whereas Bahmer et al found a significant association with 6MWT distance and quality of life scores but only a weak association with fatigue .…”

Comprehensive Care for Patients with Sarcoidosis

“…While activity tracking at home could possibly help to stimulate exercise [51,[53][54][55], supervised training programs or multidisciplinary pulmonary rehabilitation might have more beneficial effects [13]. Current evidence indicates that a structured, supervised exercise program can improve symptoms, QoL, exercise capacity, and muscle strength in patients with different stages of sarcoidosis [56][57][58][59][60][61].…”

Health-Related Quality of Life in Sarcoidosis

“…Inspiratory muscle impairment, 70,161 extremity muscle weakness, 81 reduced 6MWD, 72,81,84,207 and reduced exercise capacity 72,81 have been associated with lower HRQoL in sarcoidosis patients. The relationship between HRQoL and pulmonary function in sarcoidosis has been contradictory.…”