Arthritis, hilar adenopathy, erythema nodosum complex

Sarcoidosis may be associated with an arthritis primarily of the legs, usually accompanied by hilar adenopathy and marked systemic symptoms. We retrospectively reviewed 16 Caucasian patients referred because of rheumatologic complaints with an associated asymptomatic hilar adenopathy in 8 (50%) and the presence of erythema nodosum in 12 (75%). Investigations, including pulmonary function tests and angiotensin converting enzyme, were normal. Clinical course was generally benign and self-limited with median duration of 3 months for the hilar adenopathy and arthritis. HLA typing revealed a significant increased prevalence of HLA A1 B8 haplotype.