Clinical, imaging and functional determinants of sarcoidosis phenotypes in a Greek population

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was the application of the latest phenotype recommendations in Greek patients, in order to identify specific clinical, imaging and spirometric characteristics, at initial diagnosis of sarcoidosis, related to disease phenotypes. METHODS: Our cohort included 147 patients coming from Northern Greece, recruited from the Outpatient Sarcoidosis Clinic, of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. The observation period was 5 years. The Scadding staging system and the World Association of Sarcoidosis and other Granulomatous Disorders (WASOG) Clinical Outcome Status instrument were used. Phenotypes were defined by the latest DELPHI consensus recommendations. RESULTS: The following clinical phenotypes were identified: asymptomatic 59%, acute 14.3%, chronic 12.9% and advanced 33.3%. The observed phenotypes were not related to Scadding stages. Lung function decline was in line with phenotype severity. The presence of fibrosis to any extent upon diagnosis differed among phenotypes (asymptomatic 13.8%, acute 38.1%, chronic 57.9%, advanced 61.2%, P