Spirometry and measurement of diffusion capacity of the lungs using carbon monoxide (DLCO) were evaluated, as per standard guidelines.
To confirm the suspicion of sarcoidosis further examinations were initiated: The CT-Scan of the lung showed enlarged intrathoracic lymph nodes, and pulmonary function testing revealed a restriction of diffusion capacity of carbon monoxide.
Measurement of pulmonary diffusion capacity Measurement of diffusion capacity by single-breath determination of carbon monoxide (CO) uptake in the lung (DL, CO) assesses the uptake of carbon monoxide (CO) from the lung over a breath-holding period [ 265].
Participants had a higher proportion of puffy hands and digital ulcers, as well as a higher modified Rodnan skin score, but less frequently an impairment of the diffusion capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide below 80% of normal.
This is measured by means of single breath test of diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide adjusted for haemoglobin concentration in the blood.
Measurement of diffusion capacity by single-breath determination of carbon monoxide (CO) uptake in the lung (DL, CO) assesses the uptake of carbon monoxide (CO) from the lung over a breath-holding period [ 176].
There were no differences in the MMP-9 concentrations with respect to age, the presence of esophageal involvement, interstitial lung disease, decrease of diffusion capacity (DLCO < 70%), digital ulcer, arthritis, sicca syndrome, and antibodies to Scl-70 or centromere-B (Table 2).
dcSSc, diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis; DLco, diffusion lung capacity of carbon monoxide; FVC, forced vital capacity; lcSSc, limited cutaneous systemic sclerosis; TLC, total lung capacity.
Diffusion capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide (DLCO), a clinically important measure of the lung function, gauges the ability of the lungs to transfer the gas in inhaled air to the red blood cells in pulmonary capillaries [5].
