Short-Term Particulate Air Pollution Exposure is Associated with Increased Severity of Respiratory and Quality of Life Symptoms in Patients with Fibrotic Sarcoidosis

This study aimed to determine if short-term exposure to particulate matter (PM(2.5)) and ozone (O(3)) is associated with increased symptoms or lung function decline in fibrotic sarcoidosis. Sixteen patients with fibrotic sarcoidosis complicated by frequent exacerbations completed pulmonary function testing and questionnaires every three months for one year. We compared 7-, 10-, and 14-day average levels of PM(2.5) and O(3) estimated at patient residences to spirometry (forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), to forced vital capacity (FVC), episodes of FEV1 decline > 10%) and questionnaire outcomes (Leicester cough questionnaire (LCQ), Saint George Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ), and King’s Sarcoidosis Questionnaire (KSQ)) using generalized linear mixed effect models. PM(2.5) level averaged over 14 days was associated with lower KSQ general health status (score change −6.60 per interquartile range (IQR) PM(2.5) increase). PM(2.5) level averaged over 10 and 14 days was associated with lower KSQ lung specific health status (score change −6.93 and −6.91, respectively). PM(2.5) levels were not associated with FEV(1), FVC, episodes of FEV(1) decline > 10%, or respiratory symptoms measured by SGRQ or LCQ. Ozone exposure was not associated with any health outcomes. In this small cohort of patients with fibrotic sarcoidosis, PM(2.5) exposure was associated with increased severity of respiratory and quality of life symptoms.