Although similar in some respects to tuberculosis patients, no infectious agents can be isolated from patients with sarcoidosis. Sarcoidosis can range from short term to chronic, asymptomatic to major organ damage, and involve the lungs, lymph nodes, skin, eyes, and other organs of the body. Although sarcoidosis can affect persons of all races, sexes, ages, and geographic locations, it has an increased incidence in those under 40 years of age and in certain racial and ethnic groups. Estimates of disease prevalence range from 1 case to 40 cases per 100,000 population. Approximately one fourth of those with chronic sarcoidosis die of respiratory failure, while many others suffer disease related physical disabilities.
Corticosteroids remain the primary sarcoidosis therapy.
However, steroid treatment has multiple side effects and may fail to adequately alter the disease course. Alternative therapies currently undergoing evaluation include methotrexate, anti-malarials, and colchicine. For many years, thalidomide has been used to clear a severe skin reaction associated with leprosy treatment. Recent work has suggested that thalidomide may also attenuate weight loss in patients with tuberculosis and HIV infections. The exact mechanism by which thalidomide exerts its beneficial action in these diseases is still an object of intense research.