Case-control study of sarcoidosis in Alexandria

ABSTRACT

The present case control study of sarcoidosis was designed to reveal some' epidemiological features, clinico-radiological presentations and possible factors affecting both the severity of the disease and the outcome of corticosteroid therapy. The study included 104 patients with sarcoidosis and 104 control subjects. The diagnosis of sarcoidosis was established when clinico-radiological findings were supported by histopathological evidence of non caseating epitheliod cell granulomas. Data were collected from patients and controls during an interview using a pre-designed questionnaire. The mean age of disease occurrence was 34.2 years with a slight higher Incidence in women and it was not common among smokers. Dyspnea and cough were the main presenting complaints, while skin lesions were the most common extra-pulmonary presentation. Stage I was the predominant radiological finding, complete remission was the outcome of corticosteroid therapy in 70.19% of patients. Occupational exposure to aluminum, zirconium or beryllium, low socioeconomic state, family history of sarcoidosis, past history of tuberculosis and the delay in the diagnosis may affect both the severity of the disease and the outcome of corticosteroid therapy. We identified some epidemiological features of sarcoidosis in Alexandria and their relations to the clinico-radiological presentations of the disease and the response to corticosteroid therapy