About Sarcoidosis

Sarcoidosis is a disease that occurs when areas of inflammation develop in different organs of the body. Very small clusters of inflammation or white cells, called granulomas, are seen in the organs affected with sarcoidosis. They may occur in the lungs, lymph nodes, eyes, skin or any area of the body. These granulomas may clear up on their own or cause permanent scarring.

What causes sarcoidosis?

The cause of sarcoidosis is unknown, although it is likely that there may be more than one cause.

Who gets sarcoidosis?

Sarcoidosis occurs more often in Caucasians of European descent and in African-Americans. About 10 to 40 out of every 100,000 people develop sarcoidosis. It is most common in young people between the ages of 20 and 40. Sarcoidosis is not contagious.

What are the signs and symptoms of sarcoidosis?

People with sarcoidosis may have no symptoms, only vague symptoms of a general nature such as weight loss and fever, or symptoms associated with a specific organ, usually the lungs. More than one organ can be involved. Up to half of people with sarcoidosis have no symptoms when the illness is diagnosed. Thus, the diagnosis can be difficult to make. Signs and symptoms associated with specific organ involvement can include the following:

• Lungs
  Inflammation in the lungs can cause shortness of breath, wheezing or cough (often a dry cough). In some people, the symptoms go away; in others there can be permanent scarring and persistent symptoms.
• Lymph Nodes
  Enlargement of various lymph nodes can occur, especially the lymph nodes in the chest.
• Eye
  Inflammation of the eye can lead to watering, redness, dry eyes and sensitivity to light. Blurred vision can also occur. In some cases there can be eye involvement with no obvious visual problems; therefore, it is important that the person be checked regularly by an eye doctor to determine if there is eye involvement.
• Skin
  Skin involvement may appear as raised, pink or purplish areas or as painful nodules under the skin. These deeper nodules are often found on the legs and may be seen with arthritis from sarcoidosis.
• Bone
  Nodules in the bone can be painful and can cause pain in the hands and feet.
• Spleen and Liver
  Enlargement of the spleen or liver that a doctor can feel during a physical exam can occur.
• Heart
  Heart involvement occurs in a small percentage of people and can be difficult to diagnose. This can include heart rhythm abnormalities and can affect the ability of the heart muscle to pump blood.
• Brain and Nervous System
  Granulomas can develop in the brain and the nerves and cause many symptoms, including loss of sensation, loss of muscle strength, headaches, and dizziness. Only about one in 100 people with sarcoidosis are affected.
• Salivary Gland
  The salivary gland can also be involved with granulomas. People with salivary involvement of their sarcoidosis may have trouble with a dry mouth.

This information has been approved by Lisa Maier, MD, FCCP, MSPH (July 2008).