[Löfgren syndrome: a study of 80 cases].

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.