B42-11 The Impact of Covid-19 on Sarcoidosis Disease Severity Phenotypes

Abstract Rationale Sarcoidosis is a multi-system, non-caseating granulomatous inflammatory disease of unknown etiology, affecting African Americans more often than Caucasians. The COVID pandemic also showed worse outcomes in minority communities and peoples of color. The effect of COVID-19 in patients with sarcoidosis has not been fully explored. Due to chronic lung disease and immunosuppressive treatment, sarcoidosis patients may be at risk for worse COVID-19 outcomes. We set out to characterize the COVID-19 infection and vaccination rates in sarcoidosis patients and look for correlations with sarcoidosis disease severity. Methods This is a retrospective study of sarcoidosis patients enrolled in a previous study between 3/19/2012 and 7/6/2012 to assess sarcoidosis disease severity. The EMRs were reviewed in October 2025 to capture COVID-19 infection and vaccinations along with CXR Scadding stage. The disease severity scores from 2012 were correlated with the frequency of COVID-19 infection and vaccination. Statistical Analysis Software (SAS) used to analyze the study data. Results A total of 42 patients (F = 82%, 59 ± 9 yrs) were reviewed. Characteristics of this cohort in 2012 included a BMI of 30 ± 8, HgA1c (6.2 ± 1.2); 6MWT=285 ± 90 meters, Hypertension (69%), Diabetes (21%), Anemia (26%), Asthma (23.8%), GERD (47.6%), Depression (26 %), Heart dz (12%), Cancer (9.5%). The 2012 Sarcoidosis disease severity scores ranged from 5.6-13.0 (8.35 ± 1.7). The 2020 Scadding stages comprised Stage 0 (21%), Stage I (14%), Stage II (41%), Stage III (12%), Stage IV (12%). 20 pts (47.6%) had an increase in Scadding stage between 2012-2020. COVID tests were positive in 9 pts (21%) with 67% of these showing an increase in Scadding stage between 2012 and 2025. COVID tests were negative in 14 pts (33%) with 50% showing an increase in Scadding stage between 2012 and 2025. No COVID testing was found in 19 pts (45%) with (50%) showing an increase in Scadding stage between 2012 and 2025. COVID vaccination was 64% and booster shots 45%. Conclusion This cohort was obese, pre diabetic, with reduced mobility (6MWT is 71% of normal). The vaccination rate was lower than reported national averages (81%). There was worsening of CXR Scadding stage over 8 years regardless of COVID infection status. Further study is needed to determine if this was independent of effects from the COVID pandemic. Development and expansion of robust clinical databases should lead to identification of sarcoidosis phenotypes that are at risk for poorer outcomes during pandemics. This abstract is funded by: RCMI