Sarcoidosis: patient treatment priorities

Sarcoidosis is a rare disease with the number of patients in the European Union (28 member states), Norway, Iceland and Lichtenstein estimated as ∼102 000 [1, 2]. Some 40% of individuals experience sarcoidosis as a chronic condition, while >60% of individuals find that the disease resolves within 2–5 years [3]. However, it has been shown that patients can still have symptoms that result in a reduced quality of life (QoL) even after clinical signs of disease have disappeared. These symptoms include fatigue, pain, everyday cognitive failure, small fibre neuropathy, exercise limitation and depressive symptoms [4, 5]. Findings from a recent survey of patients and their partners in the Netherlands also showed that sarcoidosis has a significant impact on their lives [6]. Sarcoidosis patient survey reveals QoL and functionality are required as core outcomes in treatment and care, along with more multidisciplinary working by clinicians and the establishment of specialist sarcoidosis centres in every European country http://ow.ly/DTvt30mQnqc