Sarcoidosis is a multisystem granulomatous disease, usually presenting in young adults with vague chest discomfort or breathlessness. Diagnosis is made by histological analysis of tissue samples.

Untreated sarcoidosis may be fatal, especially in African Americans. The course of the disease is variable:

• acute sarcoidosis, characterized by a benign course in a young patient, with bilateral hilar lymph node involvement and erythema nodosum
• chronic and recurrent sarcoidosis, with multisystem involvement in an elderly patient, who has lung infiltration which may progress to pulmonary fibrosis

Reference:

1. Luisetta M et al. Course and prognosis of sarcoidosis in African-Americans versus Caucasians. Eur Respir J. 2001 Oct;18(4):738