Sarcoidosis, a report from Guilan (an Iranian northen province) (2001-09)

Sarcoidosis is a chronic multiorgan autoimmune disorder that affects all racial and ethnic groups and occurs at all ages.

The aim of this study was to assess the clinical and epidemiological features of sarcoidosis patients in a referral clinic of pulmonary disease in city of Rasht (Guilan-Iran).

This retrospective study was done by reviewing sarcoidosis patient's records containing demographic, sign and symptom and clinical data in a pulmonary clinic in Rasht from 2001-09. All statistical analyses were achieved using SPSS.

most common signs and symptoms were respiratory, systemic and musculoskeletal complaints. According to Chest X-Ray, 61.3% had bilateral hilar lymphadenopathy (BHL) alone (stage 1), and 24.2% had BHL plus parenchymal involvment (stage 2). The most common abnormal finding in spirometry was small airway disease (20.3%).The follow-up data showed that 178 patients (45.2%) had significant improvement clinically, radiologically or both.

It seems many clinical and radiological aspects of sarcoidosis in our patients are similar to other series. However, presentation with Lofgren's syndrome is a common feature and skin (n=48, 12.3%) and eye (n=19, 4.8%) involvement are less frequent. There is significant difference between west and east of Guilan in relation to referred patients (12.9 % vs 78.5% respectively).Of course this may be due to referral issues of patients and medical teamwork connections