Sarcoidosis: an experience from a tertiary care center in Karachi Pakistan

Abstract

Objectives: To assess the demographic and clinical characteristics and treatment of patients with sarcoidosis in tertiary care settings.

Method: The descriptive retrospective study was conducted at the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, and comprised data from 2017 to 2019 of patients with established diagnosis of sarcoidosis.  Data was collected on a predesigned proforma and it was analysed using SPSS 23.

Results: Of the 974 patients evaluated, sarcoidosis was established in 108(11.1%); 58(53.7%) of them being females. The overall mean age was 50.9±12.9 years. Hypertension 49(45.4%) and diabetes mellitus 37(34.3%) were the most frequent co-morbidities. Extra-pulmonary manifestations were found in 27(25%) patients; ophthalmic 9(33.3%), musculoskeletal 8(29.6%) and skin 7(25.9%). Prednisolone was the mainstay of treatment in 93(86.1%) patients.

Conclusion: Sarcoidosis was not found to be rare in Pakistan.

Key Words: Sarcoidosis, Pulmonary, Extra-pulmonary, Karachi, Pakistan.

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