Abstract
Educational aims
To discuss the role of corticosteroids in treating sarcoidosis.
To provide information about when to consider cytotoxic drugs for chronic sarcoidosis.
To outline how to monitor the use of cytotoxic drugs.
To better understand the differences in response when using anti-tumour necrosis factor agents in treating sarcoidosis
Summary The decision to treat a patient with sarcoidosis is dependent on many factors, the most important being whether the patient is symptomatic. Initial systemic therapy for symptomatic sarcoidosis usually includes corticosteroids. However, most symptomatic patients will require months to years of therapy. Therefore, alternatives to corticosteroids have been studied. This review will give a brief overview of the effect of corticosteroids and alternative treatments options available.
- ©ERS 2006
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