SARCOIDOSIS

Abstract

Sarcoidosis is a systemic granulomatous inflammatory disorder that affects multiple organs – lungs, skin, heart, kidneys, liver, eyes, and nervous system, among others. The clinical course of sarcoidosis ranges from spontaneous resolution to chronic progressive disease which can be life-threatening. Most often, patients suffer from cough, shortness of breath, chest pain, and severe fatigue. In more severe cases, there is pulmonary fibrosis and/or irreversible damage to the organs affected by granulomas. Recent studies demonstrate innovative research in the field of sarcoidosis, thus significantly improved our knowledge of epidemiology and causative origins of the disease. Despite numerous studies, the aetiology of sarcoidosis is still not fully understood. It is proposed that the disease is caused by an unknown antigen (antigens) in humans with abnormal immune response, and a genetic predisposition. Here, we overview the current advances in sarcoidosis research.