Epidemiology, clinical features, diagnostics and treatment of sarcoidosis in Karelia

The morbidity rate of sarcoidosis observed on the territory of the Republic of Karelia is analyzed. Clinical features of the disease, diagnostic techniques, and possible ways of treatment employed by the Respiratory Center of the Republican Hospital named after V. A. Baranov are studied. During the 11-year follow-up study sarcoidosis was diagnosed in 464 people. The prevalence of sarcoidosis in Karelia is 73 persons per 100 thousand people. The structure of the disease is dominated by 2-3 stages of the process. In 56 % of the patients sarcoidosis was verified histologically. To obtain the material the most frequently used method of videothoracoscopy was employed. Positive clinical and laboratory dynamics, and x-ray results (spontaneous regression and regression during treatment) were observed in 233 (58,1 %) patients. The relapsing course of the disease occured in 7,7 % of the patients. Stabilization of the patient’s condition (spontaneous, during or after therapy) was achievable in 24,2 % of patients. A relapse of the condition a year after the end of the course of primary treatment or after spontaneous regression was observed in 14 patients (9,3 % of all patients receiving therapy).