Pol Merkur Lekarski. 2026;54(2):169-175. doi: 10.36740/Merkur202602111.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: Aim: Our study aims to compare the outcomes in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) who have sarcoidosis and who do not have sarcoidosis.
PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and Methods: We used data from the TriNetX US collaborative network database, including DCM patients with and without sarcoidosis between Aug 1, 2015 and Aug 1, 2025. Propensity score matching was done to minimize differences in baseline characteristics. A total of 4,514 patients in each cohort (sarcoidosis vs. non-sarcoidosis) were studied after propensity score matching. The primary outcome was ventricular assist device (VAD) placement, and the secondary outcomes were ventricular arrhythmia, hospitalization or ED visits, acute kidney injury, and stroke.
RESULTS: Results: The incidence of VAD insertion was more frequent in the sarcoidosis group (2.2% vs. 1.3%; OR: 1.676, 95% CI: 1.210-2.321; P<0.001). Secondary outcomes also showed significant differences, with higher rates of ventricular arrhythmia (OR: 2.082, 95% CI: 1.833-2.364; P<0.001), acute kidney injury (OR: 1.305, 95% CI: 1.157-1.473; P<0.001), and hospitalization/ED visits (OR: 1.159, 95% CI: 1.003-1.340; P<0.001) in the sarcoidosis cohort. Other arrhythmia events were more frequent (OR: 2.517, 95% CI: 2.425-2.613; P<0.001). The risk of composite stroke did not differ significantly between groups (OR: 1.132, 95% CI: 0.957-1.339; P=0.146).
CONCLUSION: Conclusions: Sarcoidosis in DCM was associated with higher risk of VAD insertion and most secondary outcomes, except stroke, indicating worse prognosis and need for closer monitoring and targeted management.
PMID:42048506 | DOI:10.36740/Merkur202602111
