Pulmonary sarcoidosis

• Published in: Clinics in chest medicine Vol. 29; no. 3; p. 459
• Main Authors: Mihailovic-Vucinic, Violeta, Jovanovic, Dragana
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.09.2008
• Subjects: Diagnosis, Differential; Diagnostic Imaging - methods; Global Health; Humans; Morbidity - trends; Respiratory Function Tests - methods; Sarcoidosis, Pulmonary - diagnosis; Sarcoidosis, Pulmonary - epidemiology; Sarcoidosis, Pulmonary - physiopathology; Severity of Illness Index
• ISSN: 0272-5231
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ccm.2008.03.002

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.