A Guide to Treatment of Sarcoidosis

Ilias      C. Papanikolaou; Hidenobu      Shigemitsu; Om      P. Sharma

Abstract

Not all sarcoidosis patients need treatment. In about 40% of cases, disease will subside spontaneously. For the rest who need to be treated, older drugs like corticosteroids, methotrexate and hydroxychloroquine, as well as the more recent anti-TNF agents, will be effective in suppressing granulomatous inflammation in every organ involved in about 30% of cases. In 20% of the patients, disease will relapse upon discontinuation or tapering of treatment, and in 10% will progress (these two categories constituting chronic disease). In these cases, reinstitution of the same or alternative medication or a combination regimen is warranted. Drugs side-effects and patients comorbidities should be taken in consideration during the selection of the appropriate regimen.

Keywords: Sarcoidosis, treatment, corticosteroids, methotrexate, hydroxychloroquine, infliximab

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