Beatriz Tejera Segura1, Susana Holgado2, Lourdes Mateo2, Jose María Pego-Reigosa3, María Carnicero Iglesias4, Alejandro Olivé2. 1. Servicio de Reumatología, Hospital Universitario Germans Trias i Pujol, Badalona, Barcelona, España. Electronic address: btejerasegura@gmail.com. 2. Servicio de Reumatología, Hospital Universitario Germans Trias i Pujol, Badalona, Barcelona, España. 3. Sección de Reumatología, Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de Vigo, Vigo, Pontevedra, España; Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Vigo (IBIV), Vigo, Pontevedra, España. 4. Sección de Reumatología, Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de Vigo, Vigo, Pontevedra, España.
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Löfgren's syndrome is characterized by hiliar adenopathies, erythema nodosum and arthritis. It is a benign variant of sarcoidosis, common in the Mediterranean area. To describe the clinical characteristics, treatment and outcome of a series of patients diagnosed with Löfgren's syndrome. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective design (1984-2013). SETTING: Two university hospitals with a reference population of 1,015,000 inhabitants. RESULTS: Eighty patients were diagnosed: 29 men and 51 women (mean age 42.3 years). Forty eight patients (60%) presented with the classical triad: hiliar adenopathies, erythema nodosum and arthritis; 18 (22%) with hiliar adenopathy and arthritis; 13 (16%) hiliar adenopathies and erythema nodosum. All showed abnormalities in the chest study. According to the radiological pattern, patients were classified in stage i-ii. Biopsy was performed in 39 patients and was diagnostic in 28. Treatment was based on non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (54 patients, 67%) and corticosteroids (33 patients, 41%). Fourteen patients (17%) suffered a recurrence of the disease. CONCLUSIONS: Löfgren's syndrome is a benign form of sarcoidosis with a well defined clinical pattern. Biopsy is usually not required. Recurrence is scarce. The disease has a good prognosis.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Löfgren's syndrome is characterized by hiliar adenopathies, erythema nodosum and arthritis. It is a benign variant of sarcoidosis, common in the Mediterranean area. To describe the clinical characteristics, treatment and outcome of a series of patients diagnosed with Löfgren's syndrome. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective design (1984-2013). SETTING: Two university hospitals with a reference population of 1,015,000 inhabitants. RESULTS: Eighty patients were diagnosed: 29 men and 51 women (mean age 42.3 years). Forty eight patients (60%) presented with the classical triad: hiliar adenopathies, erythema nodosum and arthritis; 18 (22%) with hiliar adenopathy and arthritis; 13 (16%) hiliar adenopathies and erythema nodosum. All showed abnormalities in the chest study. According to the radiological pattern, patients were classified in stage i-ii. Biopsy was performed in 39 patients and was diagnostic in 28. Treatment was based on non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (54 patients, 67%) and corticosteroids (33 patients, 41%). Fourteen patients (17%) suffered a recurrence of the disease. CONCLUSIONS: Löfgren's syndrome is a benign form of sarcoidosis with a well defined clinical pattern. Biopsy is usually not required. Recurrence is scarce. The disease has a good prognosis.
Authors: Khalid Al-Kofahi; Peter Korsten; Christian Ascoli; Shanti Virupannavar; Mehdi Mirsaeidi; Ian Chang; Naim Qaqish; Lesley A Saketkoo; Robert P Baughman; Nadera J Sweiss Journal: Ther Clin Risk Manag Date: 2016-11-07 Impact factor: 2.423