[Many faces of sarcoidosis]

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Pulmonology
• Systemic Inflammatory Diseases

Background:

• Sarcoidosis is a multisystem granulomatous disease of unknown etiology.
• Thoracic sarcoidosis is highly prevalent, often presenting as bilateral hilar lymphadenopathy.
• Cardiac and lung parenchyma involvement occur frequently, with many patients being asymptomatic.

Purpose of the Study:

• To summarize the key epidemiological and clinical features of sarcoidosis.
• To highlight the diagnostic challenges and varied clinical presentations.
• To underscore the importance of considering sarcoidosis in unexplained systemic symptoms.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on sarcoidosis epidemiology and clinical manifestations.
• Analysis of diagnostic criteria and common presentation patterns.
• Discussion of disease course, including spontaneous remission and chronic progression.

Main Results:

• Over 90% of patients exhibit thoracic sarcoidosis, frequently with hilar lymphadenopathy.
• Lung parenchyma involvement affects ~20%, and cardiac sarcoidosis up to 55% of patients.
• Sarcoidosis can affect abdominal organs, CNS, and musculoskeletal system, often subclinically.

Conclusions:

• Sarcoidosis diagnosis is often incidental, discovered via imaging or non-specific symptoms like fatigue or cough.
• Approximately two-thirds of patients experience spontaneous remission, while one-third have a chronic or progressive disease course.
• Targeted diagnostics are crucial for subclinical manifestations in extrathoracic organs when sarcoidosis is suspected.