Breath Analysis in Patients With Suspected Sarcoidosis: The VOCs-IS Study

Sarcoidosis is a chronic condition which predominantly affects the lungs and lymph glands within the chest, however, may affect any organ within the body. At the present time, very little is known as to the exact cause of sarcoidosis and it is widely believed that the condition arises due to overreaction of the immune system to an unknown trigger in the environment such as an infection. Alongside this, the clinical course and progression of the condition varies considerably; some patients have a very mild form which does require any specific treatment, where as other patients develop a more severe form which can lead to permanent scarring (fibrosis) of the lungs if left untreated. At the present time it is difficult to predict how a patient will be affected by their sarcoidosis as there is a distinct lack of clinically useful markers which help predict prognosis and identify people at risk of disease progression or those who require treatment. The main aims of this study are to use a technique which captures and analyses breath samples to provide a profile of the chemicals known as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which are present in the exhaled breath of patients with sarcoidosis. Specifically the study would look to see if these VOCs are different in patients with sarcoidosis compared to people who do not have sarcoidosis or any lung conditions. In addition, the study would look to see how these breath profiles relate to potential infections, change over time or in response to treatment with steroids. The study will involve a total of 80 patients presenting with suspected sarcoidosis and involve a total of four study visits over the course of twelve months. During each study visit a sample of breath will be collected alongside a blood test to look for markers of disease activity as well as completion of two questionnaires relating to a patients degree of breathlessness and quality of life. At the start of the study an additional questionnaire will be completed