List of sarcoidosis symptoms

Sarcoidosis is an inflammatory disease in which the immune system reacts excessively and forms granulomas—clusters of inflammatory cells. Granulomas can develop in many organs, including the lungs, liver and heart. Too many granulomas can interfere with organ function and may leave permanent scar tissue (fibrosis). In about 90% of cases, sarcoidosis affects the lungs, but almost any organ can be involved.

Which organs can be affected?
The skin, eyes and musculoskeletal system are commonly involved. The nervous system, heart, liver, kidneys, spleen and bone marrow may also be affected. Some people have organ-specific symptoms, some have general symptoms, and some have no noticeable symptoms. Severity often depends on disease duration and whether fibrosis has developed.

Löfgren syndrome
Some people have an acute form called Löfgren syndrome. It can involve enlarged lymph nodes, red tender nodules under the skin, fever and arthritis-like joint pain. More than half of patients may enter spontaneous remission within three years, around two thirds within ten years, and recurrence is uncommon.

Eye symptoms
Around 25% of people with sarcoidosis have eye involvement. Inflammation may affect different parts of the eye. Acute anterior uveitis can cause blurred vision, watery eyes and light sensitivity. Glaucoma, cataracts and, rarely, loss of vision may occur. Dry eyes are common in long-standing disease.

Heart symptoms
Cardiac sarcoidosis may cause chest pain, cardiomyopathy, right-sided heart strain (cor pulmonale) or arrhythmias. A fast heartbeat is tachycardia; a slow heartbeat is bradycardia. Fainting, palpitations, chest pain or unexplained breathlessness require prompt medical assessment.

Liver and kidney symptoms
Liver granulomas occur in approximately 50–80% of patients, often without symptoms. Rarely, liver disease progresses to portal hypertension or cirrhosis. Disturbed calcium metabolism may cause hypercalcaemia (high blood calcium) or hypercalciuria (high urinary calcium), kidney stones and impaired kidney function.

Pituitary, spleen and mental-health symptoms
Pituitary involvement can cause hypopituitarism, with symptoms depending on the hormones affected. Spleen or bone-marrow involvement may cause anaemia or other cytopenias. Depression, fatigue and obstructive sleep apnoea are common; depression may affect up to two thirds of patients. Sleep apnoea can cause daytime sleepiness and unrefreshing sleep, and may be worsened by nasal disease or steroid-related weight gain.

Other common symptoms
Shortness of breath, chronic cough, reddish skin lesions, enlarged chest lymph nodes, fever, weight loss, fatigue and night sweats are frequent initial symptoms. Other possible symptoms include red or watery eyes, blurred vision, swollen painful joints, enlarged neck/armpit/groin lymph nodes, nasal blockage, bone pain, kidney stones, arrhythmias and inflammation or failure of the heart. Nervous-system involvement can include hearing loss, meningitis, seizures, depression, dementia or psychosis.

This information is educational and does not replace a medical examination or medical advice.