Sarcoidosis Trinity Ruiz

Do you have painful sores on your face (particularly on your nose, cheeks, lips, & ears) or tender reddish-purple bumps under the skin on your legs? These could be lupus pernio & erythema nodosum, which are signs of SARCOIDOSIS.

What is sarcoidosis? Sarcoidosis is the presence of clusters of immune cells called granulomas in parts of the body, especially the lungs & lymph nodes. These granulomas lead to inflammation in the organs, lymph nodes, & skin and can change the normal structure & function of organs. Erythema nodosum affects the subcutaneous layer of the hypodermis. Lupus pernio affects epidermis.

What are the signs & symptoms? Many don’t experience any signs or symptoms. If there are symptoms, they may develop gradually & persist for years, abruptly appear & disappear, or be mislabeled as other conditions. General signs include weight loss, hoarse voice, & flu-like symptoms, such as night sweats, congestion, joint pain, Fever, Swollen or tender lymph nodes, fatigue. Some symptoms depend on what organs have been infiltrated by granulomas. Lungs dry cough Shortness of breath wheezing chest pain Eyes blurry vision irritation/pain teary or extremely red eyes light sensitivity dryness Heart shortness of breath lightheadedness or fainting arrhythmias (Irregular heartbeats) palpitations (rapid or fluttering heart beat) edema Abdominal Organs pain enlarged liver enlarged spleen kidney stones Nervous System nerve pain meningitis headache or dizziness seizures hallucinations hearing loss mood disorders (mood swings, depression, etc.)

What causes sarcoidosis? The exact cause of sarcoidosis is unknown; however, it is believed to be the result of overactivity in the immune system. Studies suggest that environmental factors such as exposure to dust, chemicals, & other substances or infection from bacteria & viruses trigger inflammation, creating granulomas in those who are genetically predisposed.

Is there a cure? There is no cure, but there are treatments for those who need it. Tests are run to determine what symptoms need to be handled, & then treatments are prescribed with the goal of decreasing immune system activity or reducing inflammation. The corticosteroid prednisone is the most common treatment. Corticosteroids treat inflammation & can be taken to improve coughing, shortness of breath, eye irritation, skin rashes, and joint pain. Colchicine may help with joint pain, hydroxychloroquine may improve skin and decrease elevated blood-calcium levels,& antimalarials may treat the skin, lungs, or nervous system. Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), monoclonal antibodies, & hormone therapy using corticotropin reduce overactivity of the immune system. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) inhibitors are prescribed to block the release of TNF-a, which can cause granulomas.

What happens if sarcoidosis remains untreated? Unchecked inflammation can cause permanent scarring, leading to serious damage of organs as well as life-threatening complications with the heart or lungs. Blindness, kidney failure, & brain tumors can occur. Though it is rare, death may result from heart failure, sudden cardiac arrest, & loss of lung function (ex: pulmonary fibrosis).

Additional Facts Sarcoidosis is more common in women, people between the ages of 20 & 40, & those of African & Scandinavian descent. Up to 30% of people with sarcoidosis see improvement in their symptoms without receiving treatment. About 1-5% of patients die from complications.

Sources https://foundation.chestnet.org/patient-education-resources/sarcoidosis/#risk https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/sarcoidosis https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4326053/ https://www.webmd.com/lung/arthritis-sarcoidosis#3-7 https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sarcoidosis/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20350363 https://medlineplus.gov/sarcoidosis.html