[Predictive factors of the persistence of sarcoidosis activity 2 years after diagnosis]

The prognosis of sarcoidosis is difficult to predict. In general, sarcoidosis is considered as chronic when it remains active for over 2 years. The aim of this study was to analyze predictive factors in the persistence of sarcoidosis activity 2 years after diagnosis.

One hundred fifty-five patients diagnosed of having sarcoidosis over a period of 14 years were included in a protocol of prospective study and were followed for at least 2 years.

Four variables independently related to the persistence of activity of the disease at 2 years of diagnosis were identified by means of multiple logistic regression analysis: absence of erythema nodosum (relative risk = 23.3), confidence interval 95% = 12.7-44.6), age equal to or greater than 40 years of age (RR = 7.7, IC = 4.3-13.6), presence of splenomegaly (RR = 21.1, IC = 7, 5-59.7) and presence of parenchymatous infiltrates in thorax x-ray (RR = 3.5, IC 2-5.9).

Although the persistence in the activity of sarcoidosis does not always have the same clinical repercussion and does not necessarily imply treatment, these results may permit a greater approximation to the prognosis of the disease and the indication of corticotherapy.