[Recurrence of pulmonary sarcoidosis]

From September 1960 to December 1992, 2021 patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis were registered in our Sarcoidosis Clinic. 462 patients were treated with steroids. Treatment was initiated either because of radiological evidence of disease progression after 6 months observation, lack of radiological improvement together with abnormalities of pulmonary function, presence of extra-pulmonary lesions. In 42 cases (9% of treated group); 19 men and 23 women, mean age 35 years, relapse of disease was observed from 6 months to 6 years after completion of treatment. At the entry to the first treatment 11 patients were assessed as having stage I disease, 30 as stage II and one as stage III. In 16 subjects of this group (38%), extra-pulmonary lesions were presents; skin lesions in 8 cases and enlarged peripheral lymph nodes in 6. After initial treatment, radiological and clinical improvement was observed in 32 patients. The second treatment results in radiological improvement in 38 patients, 10 are being still treated. In 4 cases a second relapse was noted. In three patients regression of pulmonary changes was achieved, in one case stabilization of the disease was observed.