Efficacy of prednisolone in patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis: results of a retrospective study

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to evaluate efficacy and safety of systemic corticosteroids (SCS) in 245 patients with sarcoidosis in a real clinical practice.

Methods. This was a retrospective analysis of outpatients with pulmonary sarcoidosis who visited a pulmonologist in 2000 to 2015. The analysis involved 166 females and 79 males, mean age, 44.9 ± 0.8 years. The diagnosis was verified by biopsy in 74.7% of cases.

Results. Prednisolone improved symptoms and objective parameters of sarcoidosis in 90.2% of cases; 55.9% patients had a relapse after treatment. Three"month treatment with SCS was not associated with complete regression of the disease. The stage IV sarcoidosis developed in 8.8% of the patients despite the adequate dose of prednisolone and duration of the treatment; 56.8% of the patients had a relapse at the end of the therapy. Achieving remission of pulmonary disease was not always associated with remission in other involved organs. In some cases, treatment with SCS was complicated by type 2 diabetes mellitus or hypertension.

Conclusion. GCS should be prescribed as the first"line therapy only to patients with progressive course of pulmonary sarcoidosis or with involvement of other organs and after assessment of contraindications to this therapy.