Sarcoidosis is an inflammatory disease that involves multiple organs.
It is believed to be due to a hyperactivity (overreaction) of the immune system leading to build up of immune cells called granulomas which can deposit in almost any organ and cause inflammation. Though sarcoidosis most commonly affects the lungs, it can also affect the heart, skin, eyes, joints, liver, and nervous system.
Diagnosis
There are multiple approaches to the diagnosis of sarcoidosis in the body, and it depends largely on the body part(s) that are suspected to have sarcoidosis. Patients are evaluated through thorough clinical history and exam, blood tests, imaging studies, and other types of testing to provide a comprehensive evaluation. Usually patients suspected to have sarcoidosis require multiple specialists to evaluate and treat this condition.
Treatment
Given the exact cause of sarcoidosis is not clear, there is no known cure. Thus when treatment is needed, it is focused on decreasing inflammation. Most patients with sarcoidosis do not require treatment, and the inflammation resolves on its own. Treatment is initiated based on patient symptoms or any limitations on quality of life. First line therapy for patients with active symptoms is prednisone, a corticosteroid. Prednisone has great efficacy but also comes with many side effects which are dose and duration dependent. We help manage sarcoidosis therapy with prednisone and its side effects as well as helping manage other non-steroid treatment options such as methotrexate, azathioprine, infliximab and others. We help monitor infection risk, bone health, and advise on appropriate diet and exercise.