Authors: Xavier Theunssens, Laura Bricman, Stéphanie Dierckx, Emilie Sapart, Tatiana Sokolova, Aleksandra Avramovska & Patrick Durez
Abstract
Introduction
Drug-induced sarcoidosis-like disease is a rare side effect of anti-tumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) agents in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. The most commonly involved organs in such condition are the lungs, skin, and lymph nodes. The aim of this study is to report the number of cases and the clinical manifestations of sarcoidosis induced by anti-TNF in our RA UCLouvain Brussels cohort.
Methods
All case records of RA patients ever treated with a TNF inhibitor and presenting anti-TNF induced sarcoidosis in our rheumatology centers from 2000 to 2021 were retrospectively reviewed.
Results
Our RA UCLouvain Brussels cohort includes 2492 patients. Among them, 697 patients have been or are exposed to a TNF inhibitor. Only four patients with sarcoidosis induced by anti-TNF were identified and reviewed. Patient 1 was classified as incomplete Heerfordt syndrome. Patient 2 was a case of sarcoid-like granulomatosis manifesting as life-threatening hypercalcemia, acute kidney injury and atypical parenchymal pneumopathy. Patients 3 and 4 developed pulmonary sarcoidosis with hilar adenopathies. The TNF inhibitor was etanercept for the first three patients and infliximab for the last one. The time occurrence of sarcoidosis was highly variable after anti-TNF exposure. All patients recovered after glucocorticoid treatment and the discontinuation of the anti-TNF agent.
Conclusions
This case highlights this rare paradoxical side effect and the variability of the clinical presentation. Further studies should analyze the immunopathology of such conditions.
Key Summary Points |
These cases of anti-TNF-induced sarcoidosis highlight this rare paradoxical side effect and the variability of clinical presentation. |