Abstract
Corticosteroids are used in sarcoidosis to relieve symptoms and modify disease progression. Most studies of the effects of corticosteroids have concentrated on changes in chest radiograph and lung function (PFT). A recent systematic review (Paramothayan, S. et al. Respir Med 2008;102:1-9) found no studies that reported the effects of corticosteroids on symptoms.
Objectives: To investigate whether corticosteroids were associated with improved PFT or symptom score (SS) over a 2-year follow-up.
Methods: PFT and SS before treatment were compared with results at 3, 12 and 24 months in 20 patients given oral corticosteroids for active pulmonary sarcoidosis. To calculate SS dyspnoea was valued 1-5 by severity, and all other symptoms were valued at 1. Data were collected from clinical records and results evaluated using a 2-tailed paired t-test.
Results: 14 females and 6 males aged 29-63 years were included; 13 black, 6 Caucasian, 1 Asian. Initial symptoms included dyspnoea (11), cough (8), skin changes (9), arthralgia (8), eye problems (7). SS improved significantly at all time points. Improvement in PFT was not statistically significant.
Conclusion: Corticosteroids improved symptoms in sarcoidosis. This is a novel finding not assayed by other studies. It has potential importance for future management guidelines for pulmonary sarcoidosis.
- © 2011 ERS