Diagnoses of chronic beryllium disease within cohorts of sarcoidosis patients

An increase in chronic beryllium disease (CBD) has been suggested due to higher industrial use of beryllium alloys. Since occupational CBD is a perfect phenocopy of sarcoidosis, it might be misdiagnosed as sarcoidosis. In the current it was hypothesised that CBD exists in cohorts of sarcoidosis patients. In a prospective case study, sarcoidosis patients were evaluated for potential beryllium exposure- In Chose patients in whom beryllium exposure was confirmed and beryllium hypersensitivity demonstrated, the diagnosis of sarcoidosis was rejected and corrected to CBD. In 84 patients seen for re-evaluation or makin…