[Serum angiotensin converting enzyme activity in sarcoidosis. A review of seventy cases]

Abstract

The serum angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) activity was assayed in seventy untreated patients with sarcoïdosis. Results were considered abnormal if they exceeded 34,5 U/ml. (SEM + 250). Increased ACE activity was found in 55,7% of the patients. Most of these patients had either Stage II or disseminated disease. Significant decreases in ACE activity always occurred during remission, whether spontaneous or induced by corticosteroids. In most patients with persistant roentgenologic features ACE activity was still high six months after onset. No correlations were found between serum ACE activities and lymphocytosis in bronchial washing samples. We conclude that, while serum ACE activity assays are not of significant diagnostic utility in patients with sarcoidosis, they are helpful for monitoring the course of the disease.