[Clinical aspects of sarcoidosis with autoantibodies]

Among 64 sarcoidosis cases, 6 cases with autoantibodies or autoimmune disorders are described. All 6 cases were females over 40 years old, and made up 24% of the original 25 patients over 40 years old. Rheumatoid factor was observed in 2 cases, anti-DNA antibody in 4 cases and anti-microsomal antibody in 2 cases. Four cases of sarcoidosis were associated with ITP or Hashimoto's disease or rheumatoid arthritis. The presence of these autoantibodies or autoimmune diseases seemed to correlate with continued disease activity of sarcoidosis. The analysis of the clinical features of sarcoidosis with coexistent autoimmune diseases may clarify immunologic processes involved in the pathogenesis of both disorders and also provide clues to understanding the relatively poor clinical outcome of longstanding sarcoidosis.