[The effect of therapeutic intervention with corticosteroids on outcome and prognosis of sarcoidosis].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effects of corticosteroids on the prognosis of sarcoidosis.


METHODS
There were analysis and comparison on the prognosis of natural course and corticosteroids therapy of 133 patients with sarcoidosis diagnosed by biopsy pathologic histology follow-up over 4 years.


RESULTS
Six of the 7 patients with ocular sarcoidosis were cured by oral prednisone (PRED), and 1 patient receiving intraocular dexamethasone lost his sight. In patients with extra-pulmonary sarcoidosis who were not treated, 33 of the 38 cases underwent spontaneous remission, but another 5 cases progressed. Twenty-two of the 26 patients with stage I pulmonary disease underwent spontaneous remission, 3 progressed, with only one case cured by PRED therapy. In the 55 patients with stage II pulmonary sarcoidosis who received PRED therapy, the chest roentgenogram and lung function were back to normal in 45 cases, but 10 cases failed. One patient with stage II pulmonary disease without treatment progressed to stage IV. Three patients with stage III pulmonary sarcoidosis were cured by PRED therapy, but III patients with stage IV sarcoidosis failed to respond to PRED therapy.


CONCLUSIONS
Systematic therapy with oral corticosteroids for ocular and stage II approximately III pulmonary sarcoidosis is a curative intervention. Corticosteroids can relieve symptoms, reduce inflammation, and improve the prognosis of ocular and pulmonary sarcoidosis.
Miao
Jing-zhi
JZ
Department of Respiratory Medicine, Beijing Hospital, Beijing 100730, China.
Du
Di-jun
DJ
Zeng
Ping
P
D000293:Adolescent; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000328:Adult; D005128:Eye Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D012507:Sarcoidosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D017565:Sarcoidosis, Pulmonary / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones