What do we know so far about COVID-19 in sarcoidosis patients? A systematic review and meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION: Sarcoidosis is a systemic granulomatous disease which mainly affects the lungs in 90% of patients. In this meta-analysis, we aimed to study the symptoms, comorbidities and outcomes of sarcoidosis patients with COVID-19 infection.EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: On 3rd November 2021 and updated in PubMed database on 7th May 2022, we searched for articles reporting COVID-19 infection in sarcoidosis patients. The analysis was done by comprehensive meta-analysis software (CMA) and the results were reported as the prevalence and 95% confidence interval (CI). EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: Of total 1270 patients, the most common COVID-19 symptoms were cough 70% (95% CI: 45-87), fever 56% (95% CI: 45-66) and dyspnea 40% (11-79), while the most common comorbidities were hypertension 44% (95% CI: 25-66), obesity 35% (95% CI: 10-72) and diabetes mellitus 25% (95% CI: 15-40). The prevalence of hospitalization, Intensive Care Unit (ICU) admission, patients received mechanical ventilation and mortality were 40% (95% CI: 23-61), 13% (95% CI: 5-30), 7% (95% CI: 3-17) and 8% (95% CI: 4-16), respectively.CONCLUSIONS: Close monitoring of sarcoidosis patients with COVID-19 is essential for the prevention of the CO-VID-19 hazards, especially in the elderly or patients having several comorbidities. Moreover, significant prevention strategies against COVID-19 in sarcoidosis patients are recommended such as vaccination.