SARCOIDOSIS WITH ARTHRITIS BY

"Sarcoidosis is a systemic granulomatous disease of undetermined aetiology and pathogenesis. Mediastinal and peripheral lymph nodes, lungs, liver, spleen, skin, eyes, phalangeal bones, and parotid glands are most often involved, but other organs or tissues may be affected. The Kveim reaction is frequently positive, and tuber-culin-type hypersensitivities are frequently depressed. Other important laboratory findings are hypercaluria and increased serum globulins. The characteristic histologic appearance of epithelioid tubercles with little or no necrosis is not pathognomonic, and tuberculosis, fungal infections, beryllium disease, and local sarcoid reactions must be excluded. The diagnosis should be regarded as established for clinical purposes in patients who have consistent clinical features, together with biopsy evidence of epithelioid tubercles or a positive Kveim test." (Definition prepared by the 1960 International Conference on Sarcoidosis, held in Washington, D.C.) The twelve patients (all Negroes), who are discussed below, were seen in a rheumatology clinic within a period of 18 months. At least nine of the twelve were first diagnosed as cases of arthritis, so that a detailed report of the tests carried out and * U.S. Public Health Service Trainee. Supported by grants fro