Experience of sarcoidosis and factors predicting relapse at a tertiary care institute in North India

Background: Sarcoidosis is a multisystem, chronic granulomatous disease of unknown etiology. The clinical course of sarcoidosis is punctuated with remission and relapses, which is unpredictable.Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective observational study in which case records of all patients with a confirmed diagnosis of sarcoidosis attending the outpatient department of pulmonary medicine department between January 2014 and December 2018 were evaluated. The diagnosis of sarcoidosis was confirmed by demonstration of noncaseating granuloma in cytopathology or histopathology along with a compatible clinical picture. Mantoux test, serum angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) levels, serum calcium, and 24-h urinary calcium were done.Results: Sarcoidosis was found to be more common in females. Cough, breathlessness, fever, and fatigue were the predominant symptoms. Mantoux was negative in 95.83%, raised serum ACE was seen in 65.83%, hypercalcemia in 10.83%, and hypercalciuria in 30.0% of patients, respectively. Chest radiograph revealed that 14.17% of patients presented with Stage 1, 52.50% of patients with Stage 2, 15.83% of patients with Stage 3, and 17.50% of patients with Stage 4. Mediastinal lymphadenopathy was seen in contrast-enhanced computed tomography chest in 93.33%, septal thickening with nodularity in 61.67% and fibrosis in 25.83%. Corticosteroids were started in 97.5% patients and 24.17% patients relapsed after stopping or tapering corticosteroids.Conclusion: Sarcoidosis is a common cause of bilateral hilar lymphadenopathy and interstitial lung diseases. Relapses are frequent after stopping corticosteroids, so patients should be followed up actively after stopping treatment.