Radiological predictive remission factors of pulmonary involvement in systemic sarcoidosis: a computed tomography scan study.

INTRODUCTION: As little is known about the prognostic value of CT scan findings at onset in patients presenting with sarcoidosis, we aimed to identify factors independently associated with radiological remission of pulmonary involvement in systemic sarcoidosis on CT scan findings. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective descriptive and analytic study of patients with a biopsy proven systemic sarcoidosis. We compared patients on radiological remission (group 1) to those on stabilization or progression (group 2). Multivariate analysis of variables significantly associated with radiological remission in univariate analysis was performed using binary logistic regression. RESULTS: Out of 65 records of systemic sarcoidosis, 43 were analyzed. 18.6% where male and 81.6% female with a sex-ratio of 0.22 and a mean age at diagnosis of 47.2 ±13.6 years. We found atypical lesions in CT scan findings in 16 patients (37.2%). Comparative pulmonary CT scan findings at admission and at 12 months follow-up revealed 13 patients (30.2%) in remission (group1) and 30 patients in radiological stabilization or progression (group 2). On multivariate analysis, lymphopenia, calcifications, and typical CT scan findings at presentation were predictive factors of remission of pulmonary involvement in systemic sarcoidosis (aOR=27.57; 95%IC=2.67-284.63; p=0.005) (aOR= 37.2; 95%IC= 2.08-663.89; p= 0.014) (aOR=47.1; 95%IC= 1.79-1238.7; p=0.021) respectively. CONCLUSION: In patients with systemic sarcoidosis with no lymphopenia at onset or calcifications or typical CT scan findings at presentation, we suggest a close follow-up as well as an intensive treatment.

Polymorphism of interleukin 6 -174 G/C in Behcet disease: case series and review of literature.

To assess the association between polymorphisms of the IL-6 -174 G/C and Behçet's disease (BD) in Tunisian patients. DNA was extracted from blood samples taken from 43 Tunisian patients and 43 healthy controls. The polymorphisms were analyzed by PCR with the PCR-RFLP. No significant association was found between patients and controls concerning polymorphism of IL6 -174 G/C between the (allelic frequency: C (17.44 vs 8, 13%; P=0.17) et G (82,55 vs 91,86%; P= 0.21). Neither age of onset of BD nor sex appears to be influenced by allelic variation of SNP-174 G / C of IL6. Disease duration of BD was longer in patients having the form 174 G-allele. SNP -174G/C was more frequent in patients without significant association (32.5 vs 16,26% ; P=0.07). SNP -174 G/C was not associated with the HLA B51. Neither age of onset of BD nor sex appears to be influenced by SNP-174 G / C of IL6. Disease duration of BD was longer in the absence of the SNP-174 G/C IL6, with no significant difference (79.2 + / -45.095 vs.70.28 + / - 47.034 months, P=0.59). The polymorphism of IL6 -174 G/C does not modulate clinical expression of BD. The single nucleotide polymorphisms of the IL-6 do not appear to be associated with BD reconstruction.

Co-existing sarcoidosis and Takayasu arteritis: report of a case.

INTRODUCTION: Takayasu arteritis (TA) is a chronic vasculitis of unknown origin, affecting mainly the aorta and its main branches. As a result of the inflammation, stenosis, occlusion or dilatation of the involved vessels may occur and cause a wide range of symptoms. It has been described in association with various auto-immune disorders (mainly inflammatory digestive tract diseases). However, only few cases of TA associated with sarcoidosis have been reported, raising the question of an association by chance. CASE REPORT: We report a case of a 34 year-old woman, with one year history of sarcoidosis, who presented with asymmetric high hypertension revealing inflammatory humeral, axillary and subclavian arteritis related to TA, successfully treated by steroid and immunosuppressive therapy(MethotrexateR). CONCLUSION: TA and sarcoidosis may be related, rising the hypothesis that TA or Takayasu arteritis-like granulomatous vasculitis may be, in fact, a complication of sarcoidosis.