Outcome of sarcoidosis.
Sarcoidosis is a chronic granulomatous inflammatory disease of unknown etiology with heterogeneous outcome. Based on the natural history or clinical treatment course, the outcomes of cases can be divided into two wings: spontaneous regression (self-limited disease) or progression of extensive fibrotic lesions as a postgranulomatous fibrosis. In addition to examining these outcomes, this article focuses on several related concepts, including chronicity (persistence of the lesions), relapse/recurrence, deterioration, and mortality. It also reviews the outcomes from the point of view of relevant clinical phenotypes, the natural disease course, the effects of treatment, and the effects of lung transplantation. Finally, it considers the effects of pulmonary hypertension, various genetic factors on the outcomes, and the efficacy of several novel therapeutic drugs in treating sarcoidosis.
Central Clinic/Research Center, Masuyacho 56-58, Sanjou-Takakura, Nakagyoku, Kyoto, Japan. nagai@chuo-c.jp
Sonoko
S
Nagai
Tomohiro
T
Handa
Yutaka
Y
Ito
Kousuke
K
Ohta
Manabu
M
Tamaya
Takateru
T
Izumi
D018450:Disease Progression; D014943:Global Health; D006801:Humans; D009017:Morbidity / Q000639:trends; D011379:Prognosis; D012008:Recurrence; D012507:Sarcoidosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015996:Survival Rate / Q000639:trends