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Hair Cortisol and Testosterone Levels in Patients With Sarcoidosis

Completed
Conditions
Sarcoidosis
Interventions
Other: Determination of scalp hair steroids
Registration Number
NCT03108547
Lead Sponsor
Erasmus Medical Center
Brief Summary

The investigators studied whether scalp hair cortisol and testosterone levels differed between sarcoidosis patients both with and without fatigue and healthy controls.

Detailed Description

Rationale: Fatigue is a common symptom in patients with sarcoidosis and has great impact on quality of life. Several aspects in the pathogenesis of sarcoidosis and co-morbidities accompanying sarcoidosis could contribute to fatigue. However, until now the etiology of fatigue in sarcoidosis is unknown. Measurements of steroid hormones in scalp hair could possibly be directional in elucidating the underlying mechanism and could also be used as a screening and follow up tool in interventional studies.

Objective: A pilot to investigate whether cortisol and testosterone levels measured in hair differ between patients with sarcoidosis related fatigue, sarcoidosis patients without fatigue and healthy subjects.

Study design: A prospective observational study, using hair samples of sarcoidosis patients with and without fatigue, compared to an already existing age matched healthy control group.

Study population: Adult sarcoidosis patients at the outpatient clinic of the pulmonary department of the Erasmus MC, Rotterdam Main study parameters/endpoints: Cortisol and testosterone levels in scalp hair, correlation with Fatigue Assessment Scale.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
32
Inclusion Criteria
  • Age of at least 18 years
  • Diagnosis of sarcoidosis based on consistent clinical features/BAL fluid analysis/ PA according to the latest ATS/ERS/WASOG statement on sarcoidosis
  • Able to speak, read and write in Dutch
  • Presence of sarcoidosis related fatigue, defined as a ≥ 22 score on the Fatigue Assessment Scale
  • Other causes of fatigue are excluded or contributing comorbidities are optimally treated (e.g. OSAS, hypothyroidism or anemia)
Exclusion Criteria
  • Unable to understand questionnaires (intellectual impaired or language barrier)
  • Hair length < 1 cm
  • Use of systemic and/ or inhalation steroids in the last year
  • Use of methylphenidate (Ritalin) < 1 month before the study

Study & Design

Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Study Design
Not specified
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Healthy controlsDetermination of scalp hair steroidsHair steroid values of a previously collected normal values study in adults will be used as healthy controls
Sarcoidosis - fatiguedDetermination of scalp hair steroidsMen and women with sarcoidosis and a score of ≥ 22 on the Fatigue Assessment Scale. A small hair sample will be cut and the participants will be asked to complete questionnaires on fatigue, anxiety, depression, stress and quality of life.
Sarcoidosis - non-fatiguedDetermination of scalp hair steroidsMen and women with sarcoidosis and a score of \< 22 on the Fatigue Assessment Scale. A small hair sample will be cut and the participants will be asked to complete questionnaires on fatigue, anxiety, depression, stress and quality of life.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Scalp hair cortisol differences between sarcoidosis patients with and without fatigue and healthy controls1 month

Differences between patients with sarcoidosis related fatigue, sarcoidosis patients without fatigue, and healthy controls

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Scalp hair cortisone differences between sarcoidosis patients with and without fatigue and healthy controls1 month

Differences between patients with sarcoidosis related fatigue, sarcoidosis patients without fatigue, and healthy controls

King's Sarcoidosis Questionnaire (KSQ)1 day

A validated questionnaire to assess sarcoidosis-related health status, and its relation to scalp hair steroids

% predicted diffusion capacity of carbon monoxide (DLCO)1 day

To assess the relationship between scalp hair steroids and DLCO

Body Mass Index (BMI)1 day

To assess the relationship between scalp hair steroids and BMI

Scalp hair testosterone differences between sarcoidosis patients with and without fatigue and healthy controls1 month

Differences between patients with sarcoidosis related fatigue, sarcoidosis patients without fatigue, and healthy controls

Fatigue Assessment Scale (FAS)1 day

A short validated questionnaire to assess fatigue in sarcoidosis, and its relation to scalp hair steroids

EuroQol-5D-5L (EQ-5D-5L)1 day

A validated generic questionnaire to assess general health status, and its relation to scalp hair steroids

Short Form-36 (SF-36)1 day

A validated generic questionnaire to assess health-related quality of life, and its relation to scalp hair steroids

% predicted forced vital capacity (FVC)1 day

To assess the relationship between scalp hair steroids and FVC

Perceived Stress Scale1 day

A validated questionnaire to assess perception of stress, and its relation to scalp hair steroids

Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale1 day

A validated questionnaire to identify presence of depression and anxiety, and their relation to scalp hair steroids

6-minute walk distance test (6MWT)1 day

To assess the relationship between scalp hair steroids and 6MWT

Waist circumference1 day

To assess the relationship between scalp hair steroids and waist circumference

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