The role of primary care in sarcoidosis.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The current review aims to highlight the role of primary care physicians in the diagnosis, treatment and monitoring of patients with sarcoidosis. Increased awareness of the clinical and imaging manifestations of the disease as well as the natural disease course will help for earlier and more accurate diagnosis as well as detection of high-risk patients who would benefit from treatment introduction.

RECENT FINDINGS: Recent guidelines have attempted to deal with the confusion related to treatment indications, duration and monitoring of treatment in patients with sarcoidosis. Nonetheless, important points require further clarification. Primary care physicians may be the first to confront disease exacerbation, deterioration despite treatment and/or treatment-induced side effects. Furthermore, they are the physicians that remain closer to the patient providing a significant amount of information, psychological support and assessment for sarcoidosis-specific or not issues. The treatment strategy for each organ is complex, but the principles of treatment have been explored.

SUMMARY: There have been considerable advances in the diagnostic and management approach of patients with sarcoidosis. Multidisciplinary approach for both diagnosis and management seems optimal. Validating risk stratification strategies and standardizing the monitoring process is appropriate for the future.