RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Postgraduate Course ERS Copenhagen 2005 - Therapeutic options for interstitial lung diseases in 2005
JF Breathe
JO Breathe
FD European Respiratory Society
SP 345
OP 353
DO 10.1183/18106838.0204.345
VO 2
IS 4
A1 R.P. Baughman
A1 R.M. du Bois
YR 2006
UL http://breathe.ersjournals.com/content/2/4/345.abstract
AB Educational aimsTo 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 sarcoidosisSummary 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.