Severe Symptomatic Anemia in Gastrointestinal Tract Sarcoidosis

Sarcoidosis is a systemic granulomatous disease of unknown etiology with the potential to involve many organs of the body. Less than 1% of patients with sarcoidosis have GI manifestations. Here, we report a case of GI tract sarcoidosis that presented with severe symptomatic anemia. A 51-year-old female with a history of pulmonary and liver sarcoidosis presented to the emergency room with a one-week history of chest pain and shortness of breath. A physical exam was significant for conjunctival pallor. On admission, her hemoglobin was 6.9 g/dL. Her iron studies showed anemia of chronic disease. There was no evidence of recurrent pulmonary sarcoidosis on the CT scan of the chest. Transthoracic echo showed no abnormal wall motion movements. A nuclear stress test was negative for perfusion defects. She underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) and colonoscopy to further evaluate potential sources of active GI tract blood loss. Biopsies of gastric mucosa and small bowel revealed non-caseating granulomas. Immunohistochemical stains for acid-fast bacilli and fungus were negative. Random biopsies of erythematous mucosa from the colonoscopy were unremarkable. The patient’s history of pulmonary and liver sarcoidosis along with non-caseating granulomas found in the gastric mucosa and small bowel suggest GI tract sarcoidosis manifestations. She was started on corticosteroids with complete resolution of symptoms in five months. Clinical presentation varies widely based on the specific organ involvement, as well as the underlying pathophysiology of the organ damage. The pathogenesis of sarcoidosis is poorly understood and attributable to both genetic and environmental factors. Overall, the treatment of sarcoidosis is not standardized. It is primarily driven by the effect of sarcoidosis on the patient’s symptoms and quality of life. However, symptomatic sarcoidosis usually responds well to corticosteroids. We believe that clinicians should maintain a high level of vigilance for patients with a known history of sarcoidosis and new symptoms, as these might signal sarcoid involvement of a new organ and help guide the diagnostic and treatment process.