Evaluation of sarcoidosis cases in the last decade: Is there a seasonal difference?

Abstract

Background: The sarcoidosis cases were emphasized to differ seasonally in previous studies. In particular, the seasonal distribution of Lofgren syndrome and sarcoidosis arthritis cases has been reported to vary. Aims and Objectives: In this study, the seasonal variability of sarcoidosis cases defined in the literature was investigated among the patients who applied to our outpatient clinic. Materials and Methods: The data of 582 patients referred to our outpatient clinic and had a preliminary diagnosis of sarcoidosis between January 2010 and March 2020 were evaluated retrospectively. Demographic information, admission dates to the hospital, diagnostic methods, organ involvement, and seasonal characteristics were determined and analyzed. Results: Of the 582 patients evaluated in the study, 359 had the diagnosis of sarcoidosis. The mean age of our patients was 50 years; 96 (26,7 %) were male, and 263 (73,3 %) were female. The number of patients diagnosed histopathologically was 338 (94,2 %), and the most common extrapulmonary involvement was skin involvement with 37 cases. In the last decade, a significant number of patients (134 (37.3%) cases) were referred to the physician during the spring. Conclusion: Sarcoidosis is a multisystem disease with unknown etiology. In our study, similar to other studies, there was an increase in the symptoms during spring. Therefore, sarcoidosis should be kept in mind in patients with symptoms such as cough and shortness of breath accompanied by skin findings during the spring months. However, the data to explain this condition are not sufficient. Therefore, prospective studies are needed to explain the seasonal relationship with the pathophysiology of sarcoidosis.