Sarcoidosis: clinical update.
Many advances have been made regarding sarcoidosis in the past 2 decades. As a result, sarcoidosis is now defined as a multisystem disorder with a heightened cellular immune response at sites of disease activity in patients with a predisposition for sarcoidosis and a presumed exposure to as yet unknown transmissible environmental agents. Recent International Consensus Statement recommendations regarding diagnosis and therapy have been published. The diagnosis of sarcoidosis is based on a compatible clinical and/or radiological picture, histological evidence of noncaseating granulomas and exclusion of other diseases capable of producing a similar histological or clinical picture. Therapy is based on corticosteroids, although there are indications of valuable alternatives. Except for life- and sight-threatening organ involvement, it should be carefully considered whether the patient might benefit from treatment. For asymptomatic pulmonary sarcoidosis, a watch and wait approach is appropriate; treatment should mainly be considered if symptoms develop or lung function deteriorates.
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Ruhr-landklinik, Dept Pneumology/Allergology, Essen, Germany.
D005060:Europe / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D011379:Prognosis; D012507:Sarcoidosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology