Sarcoidosis

Follow-up is generally at 3- to 6-month intervals, although more frequent monitoring is needed in the first 2 years of diagnosis and in higher radiographic stages of disease.

Monitoring includes:[30]Thillai M, Atkins CP, Crawshaw A, et al. BTS clinical statement on pulmonary sarcoidosis. Thorax. 2021 Jan;76(1):4-20. https://www.brit-thoracic.org.uk/quality-improvement/clinical-statements/sarcoidosis http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/33268456?tool=bestpractice.com ​​[93]LeBoff MS, Greenspan SL, Insogna KL, et al. The clinician's guide to prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. Osteoporos Int. 2022 Oct;33(10):2049-102. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00198-021-05900-y http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/35478046?tool=bestpractice.com

• Clinical signs of disease activity (including to monitor for spontaneous resolution in recently diagnosed patients; to identify progression, improvement, or stability in untreated patients; and to look for relapse in patients who have discontinued or are tapering treatment).

• Pulmonary function tests and chest x-ray to monitor disease activity.

• Repeat computed tomography (CT) for assessing suspected disease progression when there is discordance between symptoms, chest x-ray, and physiology. Serial CT imaging is not routinely performed.

• Complete blood count.

• Serum calcium; monitored because of the risk of hypercalcemia, particularly during summer months.

• Liver function tests, to assess adverse effects from immunosuppressant therapy.

• Bone density screening. Recommended by the Bone Health and Osteoporosis Foundation for patients with a condition, or taking a medication, associated with low bone mass or bone loss.