Sarcoidosis
MANAGEMENT
Disease and Symptom Management
- Up to 30% of patients are thought to have chronic sarcoidosis4
- 10% to 20% of patients experience permanent sequelae4
- Almost 2/3 of patients will experience spontaneous remission1
Treatment Recommendations
Treatment is required in the following patients regardless of stage:4
- Worsening symptoms
- Limitation of activity
- Markedly abnormal or deteriorating lung function
- Worrisome X-ray changes (cavitation, fibrosis, conglomerate masses, signs of pulmonary hypertension)
- Heart, nervous system, or eye involvement
- Renal or hepatic insufficiency or failure
- Moderate to severe hypercalcemia
- Disfiguring skin or joint disease
Follow-up tests should be performed in asymptomatic patients.4
Corticosteroids4,6
- Although many are not currently approved to treat sarcoidosis, corticosteroids are often used empirically
Lung Transplantation6
- For patients with life-threatening fibrotic disease
Supportive Care6
- Smoking cessation
- Oxygen therapy
- Pulmonary rehabilitation
- Palliative care