Lung lavage neutrophils, neutrophil elastase and albumin in the prognosis of pulmonary sarcoidosis.

The authors measured the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) neutrophils, neutrophil elastase and albumin in 60 patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis, 18 patients with other interstitial lung diseases and 14 healthy controls in order to evaluate its significance in the prognosis of sarcoidosis. The concentrations were measured by enzymoimmunoassay and radial immunodiffusion (LC plates). Obtained values were correlated with some clinical indices, radiological stage and lung function values. The patients were followed up for 22.3 +/- 6.8 months. At the end of observation period the outcome of sarcoidosis has been evaluated upon the findings of chest radiograms and lung function tests. The length of duration of the disease correlated with the lung lavage neutrophil counts (r = 0.2535; p < 0.05). Significantly higher values of BALF elastase were obtained in III radiologic stage than II and I. Patients with high BALF albumin had more often dispnoa (p < 0.05) and chronic forms of the disease (p < 0. 05). The values were high in patients in II and III radiologic stage. Unfavorable outcome of chest radiograms was announced by high BALF albumins (p < 0.05). The measurement of BALF neutrophils, neutrophil elastase and albumin are helpful in clinical management and estimation of the prognosis in patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis.