Vij O, Dey M, Morrison K, Kouranloo K. Incidence, management and prognosis of new-onset sarcoidosis post COVID-19 infection.
SARCOIDOSIS, VASCULITIS, AND DIFFUSE LUNG DISEASES : OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF WASOG 2024;
41:e2024004. [PMID:
38567560 PMCID:
PMC11008326 DOI:
10.36141/svdld.v41i1.15027]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM
SARS-CoV-2 infection has been linked to hyperinflammation in multiple organs with a potential mechanistic link with resulting autoimmunity. There have been reports of many inflammatory complications following COVID-19, including sarcoidosis. A literature review on new-onset sarcoidosis following COVID-19 is lacking. We evaluated potential associations between COVID-19 and development of new-onset sarcoidosis.
METHODS
Articles discussing biopsy-proven sarcoidosis after confirmed COVID-19 infection, published 1956 until April 2023, were included. All article types were deemed eligible except opinion and review articles.
RESULTS
A pooled total of 15 patients with new-onset diagnosis of sarcoidosis after COVID-19 infection were included, 45.5% female, mean age 46.1 years (standard deviation 14.7) at onset of sarcoidosis. Patients were from: Europe (n=11); North America (n=2); South America (n=1); Asia (n=1). The mean time between COVID-19 infection and diagnosis of sarcoidosis was 56.3 days, although this ranged from 10 to 140 days. Organ systems predominantly affected by sarcoidosis were: pulmonary (n=11); cutaneous (n=3); cardiac (n=2); ocular (n=1); systemic (n=1) (with overlapping features in certain patients). Sarcoidosis was treated as follows: glucocorticoids (n=8); azathioprine (n=1); cardiac re-synchronisation therapy (n=1); heart transplant (n=1). All patients were reported to have survived, with one requiring intensive care admission.
CONCLUSIONS
Our result suggests there is a potential link between COVID-19 and new-onset sarcoidosis. The potential mechanism for this is through cytokine mediated immune modulation in COVID-19 infection. Obtaining a tissue sample remains key in confirming the diagnosis of sarcoidosis and this may be delayed during active COVID-19 infection.
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