Relationship between pulmonary function and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid cytology in patients with sarcoidosis

Objective To study the relationship between parameters of pulmonary function and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) cytology in different stages of sarcoidosis. Methods The data of the parameters of pulmonary function and BALF in 71 patients with sarcoidosis were retrospectively analyzed.Results There was statistical significance on forced vital capacity (FVC) pred%, forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1) pred% ,total lung capacity (TLC) pred% ,diffusing capacity of lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO) pred%,and lymphocyte percent in BALF in different stages of sarcoidosis (all P ＜ 0.05). The percentage of neutrophil in BALF was negatively correlated with FVC pred%,FEV1 pred% ,vital capacity (VC) pred%, TLC pred% and DLCO pred% ( P ＜0.05 or P ＜0.01). The percentage of eosinophils in BALF was negatively correlated with FVC pred%, VC pred% ( P ＜0.05 or P ＜ 0.01 ). The percentage of CD4- T cells in BALF was positively correlated with FVC pred%,VC pred%,TLC pred% and DLCO pred% ( P ＜0. 05). The percentage of CD8 T cells in BALF was nagatively correlated with TLC pred% ( P ＜ 0.05). Conclusions The changes of the parameters of pulmonary function and cytology in BALF in different stages of sarcoidosis and the relationship of them may provide basis for the dynamical observation and clinical prognosis of patients with sarcoidosis. Key words: Sarcoidosis;  Pulmonary function; Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid