Randomized trial of inhaled fluticasone propionate in chronic stable pulmonary sarcoidosis: a pilot study

Pulmonary sarcoidosis is a disease in which the pathological processes are distributed along lymphatic pathways, particularly those around the bronchovascular bundles. Delivery of disease-modulating drugs by the inhaled route is therefore an attractive option. The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of inhaled fluticasone propionate 2 mg x day(-1) in adults with stable pulmonary sarcoidosis. Forty-four adult patients (22 from each centre) were enrolled from outpatient clinics in two London teaching hospitals in a two centre, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Primary end points were home recordings of peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), and forced vital capacity (FVC). Secondary end points were symptom scores, use of rescue bronchodilator medication, and clinic values for PEFR, FEV1, FVC, forced mid-expiratory flow (FEF25-75%), diffusion capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DL,CO), and total lung capacity (TLC). Symptom scores of cough, breathlessness and wheeze were lower in the active treatment group, but this did not reach statistical significance, and a general health perception assessment (Short Form (SF)-36) showed a difference between active and placebo treatment. No significant differences were found between the two groups in any physiological outcome measure. No new adverse reactions were detected. The results of this pilot study do not show an objective benefit of inhaled fluticasone propionate in pulmonary sarcoidosis where the disease is stable and is controlled without the use of inhaled corticosteroids.