Pulmonary sarcoidosis.
Sarcoidosis is an inflammatory granulomatous disease that is characterized by diverse organ system manifestations, a variable clinical course, and a predilection for affecting relatively young adults worldwide. Abnormalities on chest radiographs are detected in 85% to 95% of patients who have sarcoidosis. Approximately 20% to 50% of patients who have sarcoidosis present with respiratory symptoms, including dyspnea, cough, chest pain, and tightness of the chest. The clinical course and manifestations of pulmonary sarcoidosis are protean: spontaneous remission occurs in approximately two thirds of patients; up to 30% of patients have chronic course of the lung disease, resulting in progressive, (sometimes life-threatening) loss of lung function. Morbidity that correlates to sarcoidosis occurs in 1% to 4% of patients.
Mihailovic-Vucinic
Violeta
V
Medical School, University of Belgrade, Dr Subotica 8, Belgrade, Serbia. violeta.vucinic@kcs.ac.yu
Jovanovic
Dragana
D
D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging / Q000379:methods; D014943:Global Health; D006801:Humans; D009017:Morbidity / Q000639:trends; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests / Q000379:methods; D017565:Sarcoidosis, Pulmonary / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index