Sarcoidosis in North Indian Population: A Retrospective Study

BACKGROUND: Sarcoidosis is a systemic granulomatous disease of unknown origin most commonly involving the lungs. Sarcoidosis is frequently misdiagnosed due to its clinico-radiological resemblance to tuberculosis (TB). Hence, the present study was undertaken with the aim of studying the clinico-radiological profile of sarcoidosis in the Indian context. METHODS: We retrospectively studied 146 patients diagnosed to have sarcoidosis during the period 2001-2010 at one of the respiratory units at Vallabhbhai Patel Chest Institute. RESULTS: Majority of them (70%) were more than 40 years of age; females comprised 58.2% of the patients. Before coming to our clinic, 30% patients had been misdiagnosed to have TB. Cough (89.7%) was the most common presenting symptom; joint symptoms (28.8%) and end inspiratory crepitations at lung bases (49.3%) were other salient manifestations. Cutaneous involvement and digital clubbing were rarely seen. Pulmonary function testing showed restriction with impaired diffusion in 72.7% patients. The most common radiological feature was bilaterally symmetrical hilar lymphadenopathy. Transbronchial lung biopsy (TBLB) had a very high diagnostic yield (90.8%). CONCLUSIONS: Sarcoidosis is often misdiagnosed as TB in India. Transbronchial lung biopsy has high diagnostic yield in sarcoidosis.