Respiratory muscle involvement in sarcoidosis

Area of Science:

• Pulmonary Medicine
• Neurology
• Rheumatology

Background:

• Muscle involvement is frequent in sarcoidosis, yet respiratory muscle and diaphragm function remain poorly understood.
• Impaired respiratory muscle strength or diaphragm function can exacerbate exertional dyspnea, fatigue, and diminished quality of life in sarcoidosis patients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review existing evidence on respiratory muscle involvement in sarcoidosis.
• To explore the implications, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of respiratory muscle dysfunction in sarcoidosis.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive literature search was conducted using PubMed and Medline.
• The search focused on articles published up to January 2018 concerning respiratory and skeletal muscle function in sarcoidosis.

Main Results:

• Previous studies indicate reduced inspiratory muscle strength in sarcoidosis patients compared to controls.
• A subset of sarcoidosis patients may exhibit significantly impaired respiratory muscle function.

Conclusions:

• Respiratory muscle involvement in sarcoidosis is an underdiagnosed condition with significant implications for dyspnea and quality of life.
• Further research is essential to elucidate the etiology, pathogenesis, and scope of respiratory muscle involvement in sarcoidosis.