Sarcoidosis: Changed phenotype and worsening of the course by overtime

Abstract

Background: Environmental factors have been considered as triggers to the onset of sarcoidosis in genetically susceptible. We aimed to investigate whether changed environmental factors affected presentation and the course of sarcoidosis by overtime. Methods: We analysed 275 consecutive patients with sarcoidosis. According to the diagnosis date, 157 patients were in the period 1966-1990 (the baseline climate) and the rest (118 patients) were in the period 1991-2004. Statistics: Roger9s test for cyclic variation was used to determine the significance. Results: Subacute course was more common in the baseline climate group than the period 1991-2004, as shown and . By contrast, chronic course, progressive disease, and respiratory symptoms were more presented in the period 1991-2004. Seasonality of both baseline climate group and the period 1991-2004 peaked in April (spring). Conclusions: changes on the phenotype and worsening of the course in sarcoidosis led us to consider interactions between sarcoidosis and environmental factors.