Factors associated with a diagnosis of sarcoidosis among US veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan

Jani, Nisha; Christie, Israel C.; Wu, Tianshi David; Guzman, Daniel E.; Han, Jizhong; Broderick, Bryan; Falvo, Michael J.; Sotolongo, Anays; Osinubi, Omowunmi; Helmer, Drew A.

doi:10.1038/s41598-022-24853-8

Cited by 4 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 26 publications

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“…Results from the questionnaire identified that only veterans exposed to convoy activity had a statistically significant (odds ratio, 1.16; 95% CI, 1.00-1.35; P=.046) increased risk for developing sarcoidosis. 17 Interestingly, enlisted personnel had a higher rate of sarcoidosis than officers, comprising upwards of 78% of cases in the Military Health System from 2004 to 2013. 9 This finding requires further study, but increased exposure to toxins due to occupational specialty may be the cause.…”

Section: U T I S D O N O T C O P Ymentioning

confidence: 99%

Sarcoidosis in Post–9/11 Military Veterans

Brandon

2023

Cutis

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Historically, US servicemembers have faced unique environmental hazards that may increase their risk for developing sarcoidosis. Cutaneous sarcoidosis is the most common extrapulmonary manifestation of sarcoidosis and can precede systemic manifestations of the disease. In this article, we review the literature to examine the risk factors and incidence of sarcoidosis in post-9/11 veterans as well as provide recommendations for workup and management. Importantly, we also highlight that sarcoidosis is a presumptive diagnosis under the recently enacted Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act and may be service connected. Veterans with sarcoidosis should be referred to the US Department of Veterans Affairs.Cutis. 2023;112:127-130, E1. Sarcoidosis is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by noncaseating granulomas that can affect many organ systems, most commonly the lungs and skin, with cutaneous involvement in 25% to 30% of patients in the United States. 1 The etiology of sarcoidosis largely is unknown and likely is multifactorial; however, specific environmental, infectious, and pharmaceutical triggers may contribute to its pathogenesis. Sarcoidosis secondary to occupational exposures in US Military veterans historically has been discussed and investigated. Still, it was not considered a service-connected disability until the passing of the Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act 2 in 2022. In this article, we review the risk factors and incidence of sarcoidosis in post-9/11 veterans as well as provide recommendations for managing presumptive service-connected sarcoidosis covered under the recently enacted PACT Act.

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Section: U T I S D O N O T C O P Ymentioning

confidence: 99%

Sarcoidosis in Post–9/11 Military Veterans

Brandon

2023

Cutis

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“…Increased measurements of metal elements have subsequently been found in the plasma of veterans with pulmonary sarcoidosis compared with controls ( 5 ). In veterans registered in the Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry who were deployed to Afghanistan or Southwest Asia, self-reported cumulative exposure to convoy activities involving vehicle operations was the only exposure that reached significance for increased sarcoidosis risk in adjusted analysis ( 6 ). In 2022, the association of burn pit exposure and sarcoidosis was recognized on a legislative level with the passage of the Honoring Our PACT (Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics) Act through the U.S. Congress.…”

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confidence: 99%