The list of signs and symptoms mentioned in various sources for Sarcoidosis includes the 42 symptoms listed below:
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Initial symptoms of sarcoidosis include arthralgia (in the wrists, ankles, and elbows), fatigue, malaise, and weight loss. Other clinical features vary according to the extent and location of the fibrosis:
❑ respiratory — breathlessness, cough (usually nonproductive), substernal pain; complications in advanced pulmonary disease include pulmonary hypertension and cor pulmonale
❑ cutaneous — erythema nodosum, subcutaneous skin nodules with maculopapular eruptions, and extensive nasal mucosal lesions
❑ ophthalmic — anterior uveitis (common), glaucoma, and blindness (rare)
❑ lymphatic — bilateral hilar and right paratracheal lymphadenopathy and splenomegaly
❑ musculoskeletal — muscle weakness, polyarthralgia, pain, and punched-out lesions on phalanges
❑ hepatic — granulomatous hepatitis, usually asymptomatic
❑ genitourinary — hypercalciuria
❑ cardiovascular — arrhythmias (premature beats, bundle-branch or complete heart block) and, rarely, cardiomyopathy
❑ central nervous system — cranial or peripheral nerve palsies, basilar meningitis, seizures, and pituitary and hypothalamic lesions producing diabetes insipidus.
Source: Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition), 2005
Initial signs and symptoms of sarcoidosis include arthralgia (in the wrists, ankles, and elbows), fatigue, malaise, and weight loss. Other signs and symptoms vary according to the extent and location of fibrosis:
❑ respiratory — breathlessness, cough (usually nonproductive), substernal pain (complications in advanced pulmonary disease include pulmonary hypertension and cor pulmonale)
❑ cutaneous — erythema nodosum, subcutaneous skin nodules with maculopapular eruptions, extensive nasal mucosal lesions
❑ ophthalmic — anterior uveitis (common); glaucoma, blindness (rare)
❑ lymphatic — bilateral hilar and right paratracheal lymphadenopathy and splenomegaly
❑ musculoskeletal — muscle weakness, polyarthralgia, pain, punched-out lesions on phalanges
❑ hepatic — granulomatous hepatitis, usually asymptomatic
❑ genitourinary — hypercalciuria
❑ cardiovascular — arrhythmias (premature beats, bundle-branch block, or complete heart block); cardiomyopathy (rare)
❑ central nervous system (CNS) — cranial or peripheral nerve palsies, basilar meningitis, seizures, pituitary and hypothalamic lesions producing diabetes insipidus.
Source: Handbook of Diseases, 2003
As sarcoidosis progresses, small lumps, or granulomas, appear in the affected tissues. In the majority of cases, these granulomas clear up, either with or without treatment. (Source: excerpt from NHLBI, Sarcoidosis: NHLBI)
Shortness of breath (dyspnea) and a cough that won't go away can be among the first symptoms of sarcoidosis. But sarcoidosis can also show up suddenly with the appearance of skin rashes. Red bumps (erythema nodosum) on the face, arms, or shins, and inflammation of the eyes are also common symptoms. It is not unusual, however, for sarcoidosis symptoms to be more general. Weight loss, fatigue, night sweats, fever, or just an overall feeling of ill health can also be clues to the disease. (Source: excerpt from NHLBI, Sarcoidosis: NHLBI)
In addition to the lungs and lymph nodes, the body organs more likely than others to be affected by sarcoidosis are the liver, skin, heart, nervous system, and kidneys, in that order of frequency. Patients can have symptoms related to the specific organ affected, they can have only general symptoms, or they can be without any symptoms whatsoever. Symptoms also can vary according to how long the illness has been under way, where the granulomas are forming, how much tissue has become affected, and whether the granulomatous process is still active.
Even when there are no symptoms, a doctor can sometimes pick up signs of sarcoidosis during a routine examination, usually a chest x-ray, or when checking out another complaint. The patient's age and race or ethnic group can raise an additional red flag that a sign or symptom of illness could be related to sarcoidosis. Enlargement of the salivary or tear glands and cysts in bone tissue are also among sarcoidosis signals. (Source: excerpt from NHLBI, Sarcoidosis: NHLBI)
The lungs are usually the first site involved in sarcoidosis. Indeed, about 9 out of 10 sarcoidosis patients have some type of lung problem, with nearly one-third of these patients showing some respiratory symptoms--usually coughing, either dry or with phlegm, and dyspnea. Occasionally, patients have chest pain and a feeling of tightness in the chest.
It is thought that sarcoidosis of the lungs begins with alveolitis (inflammation of the alveoli), the tiny sac like air spaces in the lungs where carbon dioxide and oxygen are exchanged. Alveolitis either clears up spontaneously or leads to granuloma formation. Eventually fibrosis can form, causing the lung to stiffen and making breathing even more difficult.
Eyes. Eye disease occurs in about 20 to 30 percent of patients with sarcoidosis, particularly in children who get the disease. Almost any part of the eye can be affected--the membranes of the eyelids, cornea, outer coat of the eyeball (sclera), retina, and lens. The eye involvement can start with no symptoms at all or with reddening or watery eyes. In a few cases, cataracts, glaucoma, and blindness can result. (Source: excerpt from NHLBI, Sarcoidosis: NHLBI)
The skin is affected in about 20 percent of sarcoidosis patients. Skin sarcoidosis is usually marked by small, raised patches on the face. Occasionally the patches are purplish in color and larger. Patches can also appear on limbs, face, and buttocks. (Source: excerpt from NHLBI, Sarcoidosis: NHLBI)
Other symptoms include erythema nodosum, mostly on the legs and often accompanied by arthritis in the ankles, elbows, wrists, and hands. Erythema nodosum usually goes away, but other skin problems can persist. (Source: excerpt from NHLBI, Sarcoidosis: NHLBI)
In an occasional case (1 to 5 percent), sarcoidosis can lead to neurological problems. For example, sarcoid granulomas can appear in the brain, spinal cord, and facial and optic nerves. Facial paralysis and other symptoms of nerve damage call for prompt treatment. (Source: excerpt from NHLBI, Sarcoidosis: NHLBI)
When considering symptoms of Sarcoidosis, it is also important to consider Sarcoidosis as a possible cause of other medical conditions. The Disease Database lists the following medical conditions that Sarcoidosis may cause:
These general reference articles may be of interest in relation to medical signs and symptoms of disease in general:
Full list of premium articles on symptoms and diagnosis
The symptom information on this page attempts to provide a list of some possible signs and symptoms of Sarcoidosis. This signs and symptoms information for Sarcoidosis has been gathered from various sources, may not be fully accurate, and may not be the full list of Sarcoidosis signs or Sarcoidosis symptoms. Furthermore, signs and symptoms of Sarcoidosis may vary on an individual basis for each patient. Only your doctor can provide adequate diagnosis of any signs or symptoms and whether they are indeed Sarcoidosis symptoms.
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