Introduction

Daytime sleepiness (EDS) and fatigue are possible characteristic symptoms in sarcoidosis: an important contributing factor could be obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), which according to some studies has an increasing incidence (Mari P et al,Sarcoidosis Vasc Diffuse Lung Dis 2020 37:169-78 ;  Bosse-HA et al, Respiration 2017;94:186-197)

AIMS

To investigate the prevalence of OSA among patients with sarcoidosis referred to our centre, and to assess in this subgroup the state of fatigue and daytime sleepiness before and after 4 months (+/- 8.3 days) CPAP treatment using validated questionnaires.

Methods

65 patients with sarcoidosis, with mean BMI 30 (range 24-40), were included. 36 patients (55%) were in oral corticosteroid treatment. OSA was diagnosed in 52 (86.6%; 42% female): 34 (65.3%) with moderate-severe OSA  and 18 (34.6%) with mild OSA. Participants were subjected to questionnaires such as the Fatigue Assessment Scale (FAS, mean 38, range 26-50 pt) and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS, mean 9.8, range 8-12 pt).

Results

The diagnosis of OSA was not associated with steroid use (p 0.06) or BMI (p 0.055). Severity of OSA does not correlate with gender. FAS score (85% of patients) and ESS score (96%) improved after six months of CPAP.

Conclusions

The prevalence of OSA in sarcoidosis is generally common, adherence to CPAP therapy leads to a reduction in fatigue and daytime sleepiness at six months. Steroid use and BMI do not seem to correlate with the diagnosis of OSA in this small group of patients. However, further studies are needed in this particular population affected by systemic sarcoidosis