Sarcoidosis

Abstract

There have been several new insights into the cause and treatment of sarcoidosis. Studies of genetic variation have shown that specific genetic polymorphisms are associated with increased risk of disease or affect disease presentation. These polymorphisms include variation of MHC and cytokines such as tumour necrosis factor (TNF). Not all investigators have come to the same conclusion, suggesting an interaction of various factors, including the patient's ethnic origin. Treatment of sarcoidosis varies considerably. Patients with symptomatic disease for more than 2-5 years have been of particular interest. Corticosteroids remain the standard of care in such cases, but immunosuppressive drugs have proved steroid-sparing in many patients. New agents, including pentoxifylline, thalidomide, and infliximab have proved useful in selected cases. The effectiveness of these agents seems to lie in their ability to block TNF, especially in the treatment of chronic disease.

Orofacial presentations of sarcoidosis – a case series and review of the literature

“…1 Serum ACE may be raised in active sarcoidosis as this enzyme is pro duced by granulomas. However the level of this enzyme is only raised in 50-80% of patients with sarcoidosis.…”

“…Positron emission tomography (PET) scanning with markers has also been used. 1,18 Treatment of sarcoidosis may range from observation in asymptomatic or mild disease to systemic corticosteroid therapy in more severe cases. Systemic therapy is particularly needed for patients with neurological or ocular involvement or progressive respiratory disease.…”

“…1 The disease is char acterised by the presence of non-case ating granulomas and whilst any organ may be affected the most common sites are the lungs and lymph nodes. 2 More than 3,000 new cases of sarcoidosis are diagnosed in the UK each year with a higher incidence among young adults aged 20-40.…”

Functional variant ANXA11 R230C: true marker of protection and candidate disease modifier in sarcoidosis

“…1,2 The spectrum of clinical symptoms of sarcoidosis is wide and related to the possible location of the lesions. 3 The clinical course and prognosis of the diseases is variable; acute forms including Lö fgren's syndrome (LS) resolve spontaneously in most cases.…”

Die Sarkoidose als Systemerkrankung

“…Übersichten über das gesamte Krankheitsbild wurden kürzlich in Übersichtsarbeiten gegeben [1,3,6]. Das besondere Augenmerk haben wir in der Themenauswahl daher bewusst auf die extrapulmonalen Organmanifestationen sowie auf die differenzialdiagnostische Abgrenzung zu anderen granulomatösen Erkrankungen gelegt.…”