PubMed1987
An analysis on the natural course of pulmonary sarcoidosis and effects of corticotherapy was carried out in 960 patients observed during 25 years (1959-1985). There were 434 males and 526 females in the studied group aged from 14 to 69 years, when entering the study. The time of follow-up ranged from 2 to 20 years. In 20% of subjects disease had an acute course, in the remaining 80% the process was symptomless, often of chronic nature. Majority of patients presented with stage I or stage II of the disease (respectively 48.2% and 48.6%). Histological confirmation was obtained in 70% of subjects. Spontaneous remission or improvement was observed in 62.2%. Remission or improvement following treatment was seen in another 18.7% (a beneficial effect being observed in 84.1% of treated patients). Altogether remission or improvement, spontaneous or after treatment, was seen in 80.9% of studied group. In the remaining 19.1%, 2.8% of whom were treated and 16.3% not treated, a progression of the pulmonary changes was observed-the disease evolved into chronic stage. In acute pulmonary sarcoidosis the evolution of the disease was more favorable. Remission or improvement, spontaneous or after treatment, was observed in 89.3% of patients, versus 76.3% of patients with symptomless course of the disease. Recurrence of the disease was observed in 21 cases. It was seen only in treated patients shortly after completion of treatment.