The arthritis of sarcoidosis

Abstract

Abstract Eighty‐two patients with sarcoidosis were studied. Arthritis was found in 10 of 64 unselected patients with proved sarcoidosis (15.6 per cent). Clinical analysis of 28 additional patients with the arthritis of sarcoidosis showed two types of arthritis: (1) An acute, transient type which was often associated with the clinical onset of the disease. A chest radiograph usually disclosed enlarged hilar nodes. This type was most common and tended to disappear without residua. (2) A persistent or chronic form which appeared either early or late in the course of the disease, and sometimes led to joint destruction. Radiographs of the affected joints often failed to show abnormalities. Erythema nodosum may or may not be present. Hyperuricemia was found in 20.4 per cent, rheumatoid factor in about 10 per cent, and antinuclear antibodies in 5 per cent of patients with sarcoidosis.