Sarcoidosis and burn pit exposure in military deployers to Iraq, Afghanistan, and Southwest Asia Sarcoidosis in military personnel
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Keywords
sarcoidosis, burn pits, military, veterans, desert dust
Abstract
Background and aim: Inhalational exposures have been hypothesized to play a role in the pathogenesis of sarcoidosis. Herein, we describe a cohort of US Military personnel diagnosed with sarcoidosis during or after deployment to Southwest Asia and Afghanistan, who experienced complex inhalational exposures to burn-pits and desert dust.
Methods: Consecutive military personnel at four sub-specialty clinics across the United States were screened for deployment to Southwest Asia and Afghanistan and diagnosis of sarcoidosis based on 1999 ATS/ERS/WASOG Statement on Sarcoidosis. Detailed demographic, deployment and exposure data was collected. The data combined was analyzed after de-identification and local IRB approval.
Results: Twenty-one patients met our case definition. Seventeen patients were male and 62% had extrapulmonary involvement, including 38% with musculoskeletal involvement.
Conclusions: Our study suggests that the sarcoidosis in military personnel to Southwest Asia can be diagnosed many years after deployment. To our knowledge, this is the first case series to describe a group of military personnel diagnosed with sarcoidosis and exposures specific to military deployment to Southwest Asia.
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