Vasculitis in Patients With Sarcoidosis: A Single-Institution Case Series of 17 Patients.

Abstract

Vasculitis in patients with sarcoidosis is rare and can affect any sized blood vessel. Limited information describing this association is available. A single-institution medical records review study was performed reviewing all patients with a diagnosis code for sarcoidosis and vasculitis between January 1, 1998, and December 31, 2019. Data were abstracted regarding diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes from medical records. Patients were diagnosed with vasculitis based on biopsy and/or arterial imaging. Comparison between patients presenting with large and/or medium vessel vasculitis (L/MVV) versus patients with only small vessel vasculitis (SVV) was performed. Seventeen patients were identified during the study period. Nine patients (56% female) had L/MVV, and 8 (50% female) had SVV. Sarcoidosis preceded vasculitis in 4 (44%) L/MVV and 3 (38%) SVV. The mean ± SD age at sarcoidosis diagnosis was 53.2 ± 17.8 and 51.9 ± 11.4 years, and the mean ± SD age at vasculitis diagnosis was 57.4 ± 19.6 and 59.0 ± 13.4 years in L/MVV and SVV, respectively. Number of organ systems involved by sarcoidosis was similar (median [interquartile range], 3 [1-4] L/MVV vs 2.5 [1.75-3.25] SVV). The mean length of follow-up was 11.5 ± 12.8 in L/MVV and 13.1 ± 14.3 years in SVV. Complete response to therapy for vasculitis was observed in 8 of 9 with L/MVV and 7 of 8 with SVV. Four patients with SVV were able to stop all immunosuppression as compared with only 1 patient with L/MVV at the last follow-up. This series observed a comparable number of patients with L/MVV and SVV. Although a variety of treatments were used, most patients achieved remission regardless of vessel size affected. Clinicians should be aware of the overlap between sarcoidosis and vasculitis.