Sarcoïdose: Een adembenemende aandoening

Abstract

Sarcoidosis occurs most frequently in young or middle-aged patients. The disease affects different organ systems, but the lungs are the preferred localisation. Other organs which may be involved are eyes, skin, heart, liver, spleen, salivary glands, muscles, bone, kidneys and central nervous system. Despite intensive research the etiology of this intriguing disorder remains still unknown. This disease is microscopically characterised by the occurrence of non-caseating granulomata. The diagnosis is based on a combination of clinical, radiological and histopathological findings. Prognosis correlates with host characteristics and the way symptoms do occur as well with the severity and the extent of the disease. Corticosteroids are still the mainstay of treatment, but guidelines for the clinician in setting dose and duration of treatment do not exist. In addition the evolution of the disease is very variable: it can reactivate following an initial improvement, or a spontaneous remission may occur. Thus, treating sarcoidosis remains one of the most challenging topics in interstitial lung diseases.