A population-based investigation of the causes and consequences of sarcoidosis

Bakgrund: Sarcoidosis is an inflammatory disease which is characterized by granuloma formation in any organ, especially the lungs and lymph nodes. It is not clear what causes sarcoidosis and there is no cure. Little is known about the risk of comorbid conditions and the role of immunosuppressive treatments.

Målsättning: Our overall goal is to identify risk factors for sarcoidosis and investigate the clinical outcomes associated with the disease using a large population-based linkage of clinical registers and other national data sources. We will investigate the prognosis of sarcoidosis patients with cardiac involvement, examine the risk of diabetes, osteoporosis and fractures associated with sarcoidosis, estimate the risk of severe coronavirus disease and examine the role of treatment.

Furthermore, we will investigate whether high body mass index, physical fitness and cigarette smoking are associated with the risk of sarcoidosis.

Arbetsplan: We will use longitudinal data assembled from national health registers and a sarcoidosis clinical register to identify individuals with sarcoidosis. General population matched comparators will be identified from the Total Population Register. Through linkage to several registers using each individual’s personal identification number, we will collect information on demographics, cardiac events, hospitalized infection, diabetes, osteoporosis, fractures and death.

Using Cox regression models, relative risks will be estimated for comorbidities associated with sarcoidosis compared to the general population. In a subset of individuals with available information, the relative risk for sarcoidosis associated with body mass index and other risk factors will be estimated.

Betydelse: The results of this project will create meaningful and translatable advances to prevent the development and progression of morbidity. It will have an immediate and profound impact on our approach to treating and managing patients with sarcoidosis.