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Gouliopoulos N, Siasos G, Oikonomou E, Sapounas S, Rouvas A, Ziogas AC, Moschos MM, Tousoulis D. The Association of Systemic Endothelial Dysfunction With Diffuse Diabetic Macular Edema. Angiology 2024:33197241263384. [PMID: 38889729 DOI: 10.1177/00033197241263384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/20/2024]
Abstract
Our aim was to assess whether systemic endothelial dysfunction, evaluated non-invasively by flow mediated dilation (FMD), is associated with diabetic macular edema (DME) and to determine if it is further impaired in patients with diffuse-DME. Consecutive patients (n = 84) with type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and diabetic retinopathy were enrolled. DME was not present in 38 (non-DME) and present in 46 patients; 25 with focal and 21 with diffuse-DME. No differences were detected between DME and non-DME groups regarding the clinical and demographic characteristics, except for the age of T2DM initiation (lower in non-DME). FMD values were significantly impaired in DME compared with non-DME patients, even after adjustment for multiple covariates (3.56 ± 1.03 vs 4.57 ± 1.25%, P = .003). Among DME patients, no differences were found concerning the clinical and demographic data, while FMD levels were significantly lower in diffuse-DME patients, compared with the focal-DME ones, regardless of the impact several confounders (2.88 ± 0.65 vs 4.08 ± 0.95%, P = .002). It is noteworthy that FMD values of non-DME and focal-DME patients did not differ significantly (4.52 ± 1.24 vs 4.21 ± 1.06%, P = .307). Moreover, among DME patients, impaired FMD was an independent predictor of diffuse-DME (odds ratio: 0.06, 95% CI 0.01-0.47, P = .007).
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikolaos Gouliopoulos
- 2nd Department of Ophthalmology, Medical School of National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 'Attikon' University General Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Gerasimos Siasos
- Department of Cardiology, Medical School of National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Sotiria Thoracic Diseases General Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Evangelos Oikonomou
- Department of Cardiology, Medical School of National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Sotiria Thoracic Diseases General Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Spyros Sapounas
- Endocrine Unit and Diabetes Centre, Department of Clinical Therapeutics, Medical School of National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 'Alexandra' Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Alexandros Rouvas
- 2nd Department of Ophthalmology, Medical School of National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 'Attikon' University General Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Apostolos C Ziogas
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical School of University of Thessaly, University Hospital of Larissa, Larissa, Greece
| | - Marilita M Moschos
- 1st Department of Ophthalmology, Medical School of National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 'G. Gennimatas' General Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Dimitris Tousoulis
- Department of Cardiology, Medical School of National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 'Hippokration' General Hospital, Athens, Greece
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Koh LHL, Sims JL, Pepin F, Wilsher M, Niederer RL. Role of screening for uveitis in subjects with sarcoidosis. Respir Med 2024; 224:107562. [PMID: 38342356 DOI: 10.1016/j.rmed.2024.107562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2023] [Revised: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/13/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Ocular involvement is common in sarcoidosis. Our study aimed to evaluate the role of screening for uveitis in subjects with sarcoidosis. METHODS Retrospective case series of 88 subjects with a pre-existing diagnosis of sarcoidosis, with no previous diagnosis of uveitis, reviewed by Ophthalmology at Auckland District Health Board between January 2016 and May 2022. RESULTS Among those undergoing a screening examination, uveitis was observed in 27.8% (15 out of 54 subjects). In those presenting with acute eye symptoms, uveitis was observed in 94.1% (32 out of 34 subjects). Sarcoid uveitis was diagnosed in a total of 50 out of 88 subjects (56.8%). 45 subjects required ocular treatment. Sarcoid uveitis was observed in 6 out of 27 subjects (22.2%) who were entirely asymptomatic at screening. On multivariate analysis, blurring of vision (OR 26.2 p < 0.001), eye pain (OR 7.3 p = 0.014) and respiratory disease (OR 7.1 p = 0.044) were associated with increased risk of sarcoid uveitis. In the 41 subjects with no uveitis at initial examination, 3 subjects (7.3%) subsequently developed uveitis. CONCLUSION Our study highlights the importance of ophthalmic screening of all patients with systemic sarcoidosis, even in asymptomatic patients. With a high correlation of ocular symptoms in diagnosis of sarcoid uveitis, ophthalmologists should educate patients to look out for the development of symptoms of ocular inflammation, and clinicians who continue follow up for systemic sarcoidosis should remind patients to watch carefully for these symptoms to facilitate timely diagnosis and intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- L H L Koh
- Department of Ophthalmology, Woodlands Health, National Healthcare Group Eye Institute, Singapore
| | - J L Sims
- Department of Ophthalmology, Auckland District Health Board, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - F Pepin
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand; CHU de Québec - Université Laval, Quebec, Canada
| | - M Wilsher
- Respiratory Services, Auckland City Hospital, Health New Zealand and Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - R L Niederer
- Department of Ophthalmology, Auckland District Health Board, Auckland, New Zealand; Department of Ophthalmology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
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Gouliopoulos N, Siasos G, Moschos MM, Oikonomou E, Rouvas A, Bletsa E, Stampouloglou P, Siasou G, Paraskevopoulos T, Vlasis K, Marinos G, Tousoulis D. Endothelial dysfunction and impaired arterial wall properties in patients with retinal vein occlusion. Vasc Med 2020; 25:302-308. [PMID: 32308146 DOI: 10.1177/1358863x20913609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Retinal vein occlusion (RVO) is a common retinal vascular lesion, and a leading cause of visual impairment. Patients with RVO have an increased risk for cardiovascular disease and share multiple common risk factors. In this study, we investigated the endothelial function and arterial stiffness of patients with RVO compared to healthy-control (CL) subjects. We enrolled 40 consecutive patients with RVO and 40 CL subjects. RVO was diagnosed by an ophthalmologist, endothelial function was evaluated by flow mediated dilation (FMD) in the brachial artery, and carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV) and augmentation index (AIx) of the radial artery were measured to evaluate arterial stiffness and reflected waves, respectively. No significant differences were detected between the studied groups in sex, age, presence of hypertension or dyslipidemia, body mass index, systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels, total cholesterol levels, and smoking habits (p > 0.05 for all). However, patients with RVO had impaired FMD (p = 0.002) and increased PWV (p = 0.004), even after adjustment for several confounders. Both FMD and PWV were also significantly and independently associated with the development of RVO. Furthermore, a significant and positive correlation between PWV and systolic blood pressure existed only in the CL group. Therefore, we have shown that RVO is associated with significant endothelial dysfunction and increased arterial stiffness. Our results strengthen the vascular theory, according to which, systemic endothelial dysfunction and arteriosclerosis play a significant role in the pathogenesis of RVO.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikolaos Gouliopoulos
- 2nd Department of Ophthalmology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, Athens, Greece
| | - Gerasimos Siasos
- 1st Department of Cardiology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, Hippokration Hospital, Athens, Greece.,Cardiovascular Division, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Marilita M Moschos
- 1st Department of Ophthalmology, Gennimatas General Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, School of Medicine, Athens, Greece
| | - Evangelos Oikonomou
- 1st Department of Cardiology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, Hippokration Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Alexandros Rouvas
- 2nd Department of Ophthalmology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, Athens, Greece
| | - Evanthia Bletsa
- 1st Department of Cardiology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, Hippokration Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Panagiota Stampouloglou
- 1st Department of Cardiology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, Hippokration Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Georgia Siasou
- 1st Department of Ophthalmology, Gennimatas General Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, School of Medicine, Athens, Greece
| | | | - Konstantinos Vlasis
- Department of Anatomy, Laiko General Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, School of Medicine, Athens, Greece
| | - Georgios Marinos
- Department of Anatomy, Laiko General Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, School of Medicine, Athens, Greece
| | - Dimitrios Tousoulis
- 1st Department of Cardiology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, Hippokration Hospital, Athens, Greece
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Aciksari G, Kavas M, Atici A, Kul S, Erman H, Yilmaz Y, Demircioglu K, Yalcinkaya E, Kanbay A, Caliskan M. Endocan Levels and Endothelial Dysfunction in Patients With Sarcoidosis. Angiology 2018; 69:878-883. [DOI: 10.1177/0003319718775283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
A systemic inflammatory reaction is a common feature of both sarcoidosis and atherosclerosis. Endothelial-cell specific molecule 1 (endocan) is a marker of vascular pathology which also shows a correlation with inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, and atherosclerosis. The objective of this study was to evaluate the vascular involvement in sarcoidosis using serum endocan levels and brachial artery flow–mediated dilation (FMD), a marker of endothelial dysfunction. We included 53 patients with sarcoidosis without conventional cardiovascular risk factors and 40 healthy controls. Endothelial function was assessed using FMD. Endocan concentrations were measured using a commercially available enzyme-linked immunoassay. Patients with sarcoidosis had significantly higher endocan levels (306 [68] ng/mL vs 269 [73] ng/mL; P = .039) and lower FMD (2.7% [2.3%-3.2%] vs 8% [5%-13%]; P < .001) compared with the healthy group. A negative correlation was found between endocan levels and FMD in the sarcoidosis group ( r = −.325, P < .007). We conclude that sarcoidosis is associated with high levels of endocan and lower FMD values, which may indicate endothelial dysfunction and an early stage of atherosclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gonul Aciksari
- Department of Cardiology, Istanbul Medeniyet University Goztepe Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Murat Kavas
- Department of Pulmonary Diseases, University of Health Sciences, Süreyyapasa Chest Diseases and Thoracic Surgery Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Adem Atici
- Department of Cardiology, Mus State Hospital, Mus, Turkey
| | - Seref Kul
- Department of Cardiology, Istanbul Medeniyet University Goztepe Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Hayriye Erman
- Department of Biochemistry, Istanbul Medeniyet University Goztepe Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Yusuf Yilmaz
- Department of Cardiology, Istanbul Medeniyet University Goztepe Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Kenan Demircioglu
- Department of Cardiology, Istanbul Medeniyet University Goztepe Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Emre Yalcinkaya
- Department of Biochemistry, Istanbul Medeniyet University Goztepe Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Asiye Kanbay
- Department of Pulmonary Diseases, Istanbul Medeniyet University Goztepe Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Mustafa Caliskan
- Department of Cardiology, Istanbul Medeniyet University Goztepe Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
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Fountoulakis P, Oikonomou E, Lazaros G, Tousoulis D. Endothelial Function. Coron Artery Dis 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-811908-2.00002-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Yong WC, Sanguankeo A, Upala S. Association between sarcoidosis, pulse wave velocity, and other measures of subclinical atherosclerosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Clin Rheumatol 2017; 37:2825-2832. [DOI: 10.1007/s10067-017-3926-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2017] [Revised: 11/13/2017] [Accepted: 11/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Ocular involvement in sarcoidosis is present in up to 80% of patients and is frequently manifested before diagnosis of the underlying systemic disease. Considering the therapeutic consequences, early diagnosis of the underlying disease is advantageous in patients presenting with ocular inflammation. There are several ocular findings suggestive of underlying sarcoidosis, such as granulomatous keratic precipitates, iris nodules, cells in the vitreous humor known as snowballs and snowbanks, and retinal periphlebitis. High suspicion is crucial for the diagnosis of sarcoidosis. This review on ocular sarcoidosis will mainly focus on new diagnostic and treatment modalities. RECENT FINDINGS Recent studies found possible new diagnostic indicators for the diagnosis of ocular sarcoidosis which include not only serum profiles but also vitreous sample analysis. Ophthalmologic imaging techniques have improved to investigate the ocular structure in detail. Results from recent uveitis clinical trials have included sarcoidosis as an underlying cause and have reported positive results. SUMMARY The diagnosis of ocular sarcoidosis can be challenging in some cases. High suspicion is important to diagnose ocular sarcoidosis with various laboratory and ophthalmic tools. There are many possible options for the treatment of ocular sarcoidosis including various biologic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sungjae Yang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Gangneung Asan Hospital, Ulsan University, Gangneung. Korea
- Casey Eye Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
| | - Sherveen Salek
- Casey Eye Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
| | - James T Rosenbaum
- Casey Eye Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
- Division of Arthritis and Rheumatic Diseases, Oregon Health & Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Rd, Portland, OR 97239, USA
- Legacy Devers Eye Institute, 1040 NW 22nd Ave, Suite 200, Portland, OR 97210, USA
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Evaluation of carotid intima-media thickness with vascular endothelial growth factor and malondialdehyde levels in patients with sarcoidosis. Diagn Interv Imaging 2017; 98:557-561. [DOI: 10.1016/j.diii.2017.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2017] [Revised: 04/22/2017] [Accepted: 04/24/2017] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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Tuleta I, Pingel S, Biener L, Pizarro C, Hammerstingl C, Öztürk C, Schahab N, Grohé C, Nickenig G, Schaefer C, Skowasch D. Atherosclerotic Vessel Changes in Sarcoidosis. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2017; 910:23-30. [PMID: 26820732 DOI: 10.1007/5584_2015_205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/16/2023]
Abstract
Sarcoidosis is a systemic granulomatous disease. Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory vessel disease. The aim of our present study was to investigate whether sarcoidosis could be associated with increased risk of atherosclerotic vessel changes. Angiological analysis and blood tests were performed in 71 sarcoidosis patients and 12 matched controls in this prospective cross-sectional study. Specifically, angiological measurements comprised ankle brachial index (ABI), central pulse wave velocity (cPWV), pulse wave index (PWI), and duplex sonography of central and peripheral arteries. Sarcoidosis activity markers (angiotensin converting enzyme, soluble interleukin-2 receptor) and cardiovascular risk parameters such as cholesterol, lipoprotein(a), C-reactive protein, interleukin 6, fibrinogen, d-dimer, and blood count were analyzed in blood. We found no relevant differences in ABI, cPWV, and plaque burden between the sarcoidosis and control groups (1.10 ± 0.02 vs. 1.10 ± 0.02, 6.7 ± 0.5 vs. 6.1 ± 1.2, 53.7 % vs. 54.5 %, respectively). However, PWI was significantly higher in sarcoidosis patients (146.2 ± 6.8) compared with controls (104.9 ± 8.8), irrespectively of the activity of sarcoidosis and immunosuppressive medication. Except for increased lipoprotein(a) and d-dimer in sarcoidosis, the remaining cardiovascular markers were similar in both groups. We conclude that sarcoidosis is associated with increased pulse wave index, which may indicate an early stage of atherosclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Tuleta
- Department of Internal Medicine II - Cardiology, Pulmonology and Angiology, University of Bonn, 25 Sigmund-Freud-St., D-53105, Bonn, Germany.
| | - S Pingel
- Department of Internal Medicine II - Cardiology, Pulmonology and Angiology, University of Bonn, 25 Sigmund-Freud-St., D-53105, Bonn, Germany
| | - L Biener
- Department of Internal Medicine II - Cardiology, Pulmonology and Angiology, University of Bonn, 25 Sigmund-Freud-St., D-53105, Bonn, Germany
| | - C Pizarro
- Department of Internal Medicine II - Cardiology, Pulmonology and Angiology, University of Bonn, 25 Sigmund-Freud-St., D-53105, Bonn, Germany
| | - C Hammerstingl
- Department of Internal Medicine II - Cardiology, Pulmonology and Angiology, University of Bonn, 25 Sigmund-Freud-St., D-53105, Bonn, Germany
| | - C Öztürk
- Department of Internal Medicine II - Cardiology, Pulmonology and Angiology, University of Bonn, 25 Sigmund-Freud-St., D-53105, Bonn, Germany
| | - N Schahab
- Department of Internal Medicine II - Cardiology, Pulmonology and Angiology, University of Bonn, 25 Sigmund-Freud-St., D-53105, Bonn, Germany
| | - C Grohé
- Evangelische Lungenklinik Berlin-Buch, Berlin, Germany
| | - G Nickenig
- Department of Internal Medicine II - Cardiology, Pulmonology and Angiology, University of Bonn, 25 Sigmund-Freud-St., D-53105, Bonn, Germany
| | - C Schaefer
- Department of Internal Medicine II - Cardiology, Pulmonology and Angiology, University of Bonn, 25 Sigmund-Freud-St., D-53105, Bonn, Germany
| | - D Skowasch
- Department of Internal Medicine II - Cardiology, Pulmonology and Angiology, University of Bonn, 25 Sigmund-Freud-St., D-53105, Bonn, Germany
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Tuleta I, Skowasch D, Biener L, Pizarro C, Schueler R, Nickenig G, Schahab N, Schaefer C, Pingel S. Impaired Vascular Function in Sarcoidosis Patients. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2017; 980:1-9. [PMID: 28132132 DOI: 10.1007/5584_2016_203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
A common feature of sarcoidosis and atherosclerosis is a chronic systemic inflammatory reaction. Our hypothesis was that sarcoidosis may negatively influence the vessel status. We addressed the issue by examining preatherosclerotic vascular alternations using an ultrasound-based speckle-tracking method in 72 sarcoidosis patients and 15 matched controls. To find potential factors which may have a deleterious influence on arterial performance, different subgroups of sarcoidosis, such as sarcoidosis with or without cortisone therapy, pulmonary sarcoidosis in early and advanced stages, pulmonary sarcoidosis alone or combined with extrapulmonary sarcoidosis, and sarcoidosis with or without elevated blood levels of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE)/soluble interleukin 2 receptor (sIL-2R) were investigated. We found in the general collective of sarcoidosis patients that circumferential strain (2.68 ± 0.19%), circumferential strain rate (0.21 ± 0.01 1/s), and radial displacement (0.10 ± 0.01 mm) were significantly decreased compared to controls (3.77 ± 0.35%, 0.28 ± 0.02 1/s, and 0.14 ± 0.02 mm, respectively). Vascular strains were more impaired in patients with cortisone therapy, pulmonary sarcoidosis in stages III-IV, and in pulmonary sarcoidosis accompanied by extrapulmonary involvement. The level of ACE/sIL-2R had no relevant influence on the angiological parameters. In conclusion, sarcoidosis is associated with increased vascular stiffness. Cortisone therapy and advanced stages of pulmonary sarcoidosis with extrapulmonary manifestations may account for the impaired vascular function in this patient collective.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Tuleta
- Department of Internal Medicine II - Cardiology, Pulmonology and Angiology, University of Bonn, 25 Sigmund-Freud-St, D-53105, Bonn, Germany.
| | - D Skowasch
- Department of Internal Medicine II - Cardiology, Pulmonology and Angiology, University of Bonn, 25 Sigmund-Freud-St, D-53105, Bonn, Germany
| | - L Biener
- Department of Internal Medicine II - Cardiology, Pulmonology and Angiology, University of Bonn, 25 Sigmund-Freud-St, D-53105, Bonn, Germany
| | - C Pizarro
- Department of Internal Medicine II - Cardiology, Pulmonology and Angiology, University of Bonn, 25 Sigmund-Freud-St, D-53105, Bonn, Germany
| | - R Schueler
- Department of Internal Medicine II - Cardiology, Pulmonology and Angiology, University of Bonn, 25 Sigmund-Freud-St, D-53105, Bonn, Germany
| | - G Nickenig
- Department of Internal Medicine II - Cardiology, Pulmonology and Angiology, University of Bonn, 25 Sigmund-Freud-St, D-53105, Bonn, Germany
| | - N Schahab
- Department of Internal Medicine II - Cardiology, Pulmonology and Angiology, University of Bonn, 25 Sigmund-Freud-St, D-53105, Bonn, Germany
| | - C Schaefer
- Department of Internal Medicine II - Cardiology, Pulmonology and Angiology, University of Bonn, 25 Sigmund-Freud-St, D-53105, Bonn, Germany
| | - S Pingel
- Department of Internal Medicine II - Cardiology, Pulmonology and Angiology, University of Bonn, 25 Sigmund-Freud-St, D-53105, Bonn, Germany
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[Sarcoidosis and uveitis : An update]. Ophthalmologe 2016; 114:525-533. [PMID: 27904945 DOI: 10.1007/s00347-016-0405-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Ocular involvement in sarcoidosis is present in up to one third of patients and is frequently manifested before the underlying systemic disease has been diagnosed. With a view to the therapeutic consequences an early diagnosis of the underlying disease is advantageous. In cases of visual loss early diagnostic measures include invasive procedures, such as ultrasound-guided bronchoalveolar lavage and transbronchial biopsy, if nodular conjunctival or cutaneous manifestations which would confirm the diagnosis are not present. Sufficiently sensitive biomarkers of disease activity have not yet been identified. As elevated activity of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) and lysozyme are associated with disease activity they may be supportive of but not specific for the diagnosis. Other indicators include calcemia, calciuria, augmented activity of hepatic enzymes, cutaneous anergy and hilar changes in the lungs. In patients with newly diagnosed anterior uveitis presenting with granulomatous mutton-fat corneal precipitates, snow balls and vitreous body base condensates with mild retinal periphlebitis in intermediate uveitis as well as multifocal choroiditis (creamy choroidal lesions at different stages of activity and approximately 500 µm in diameter), a diagnosis of sarcoidosis has to be considered and tuberculosis should be excluded, even in the absence of a known systemic disease. Anterior uveitis is frequently a self-limiting condition, which can be well-controlled with topical steroids. On the other hand, intermediate, posterior and panuveitis are typically associated with a chronic course and require systemic therapy to prevent severe loss of vision. If the response to systemic corticosteroids is insufficient, treatment with immunomodulatory agents and biologics is initiated at progressively earlier stages, with a view to averting permanent organ damage and frequently with a positive impact on the short and long-term outcomes, even in therapy-refractive cases.
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Sarcoidosis is a multisystem inflammatory disease, characterized by the presence of noncaseating granulomas. Ocular inflammation is often the first manifestation of the disease, and uveitis can be the driving force for treatment. The goal of this review was to provide an update on the relationship between ocular and systemic disease, with a particular focus on cardiac sarcoidosis. RECENT FINDINGS Chest radiograph remains the best imaging tool for sarcoidosis, although newer modalities, such as whole-body PET scan, cardiac MRI, and chest computed tomography (CT), may provide additional valuable information in select populations. Ocular sarcoidosis is a marker for vascular endothelial dysfunction and increased arterial rigidity. Choroidal involvement is associated with an increased risk of cardiac disease requiring intervention. Cardiac disease continues to be underdiagnosed in patients with sarcoidosis, although it remains a leading cause of death. SUMMARY Sarcoidosis is a systemic disease, and ophthalmologists should continually assess patients for extraocular manifestations. Although no screening guidelines exist, baseline ECGs on asymptomatic patients might identify those at risk for adverse cardiac events. Patients with symptoms of cardiac disease, including palpitations, chest pain, and dyspnea, should have an evaluation by a cardiologist.
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