Prognosis: Most Experience Spontaneous Remission
Overall, 70% of patients with sarcoidosis will experience a spontaneous remission.1,8,11 Serious extrapulmonary involvement is seen in 4% to 7% of patients at presentation and 1% to 5% of patients with sarcoidosis will die from respiratory, cardiac, or neurological sequela of sarcoidosis.1,8
Higher rates of chronic and more serious sarcoidosis are found in patients of African heritage or who are older than 40 years at the onset of disease, and in those who have lupus pernio, chronic uveitis, chronic hypercalcemia, progressive pulmonary sarcoidosis, nasal mucosal involvement, cystic bone lesions, neu-rosarcoidosis, cardiac involvement, and chronic respiratory insufficiency.8
Patient follow-up
All of the recommended tests were done for this patient. Pulmonary function testing was normal, and he never developed any respiratory symptoms. Therefore, treatment with cortico-steroids was deferred. He is now being seen every 4 to 6 months for follow-up PFTs and laboratory testing.
Drug brand names
- Azathioprine • Imuran
- Hydroxychloroquine • Plaquenil
- Methotrexate • Folex
Corresponding author
Rade Nicholas Pejic, MD, Santa Monica/UCLA Medical Center Family Medicine Residency, 1920 Colorado Avenue, Santa Monica, CA 90404. E-mail: RPejic@mednet.ucla.edu. Submissions: Richard P. Usatine, Editor, Photo Rounds, University of Texas Health Sciences Center at San Antonio, Dept of Family and Community Medicine, MC 7794, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229-3900. E-mail: usatine@uthscsa.edu.