Margarida Maia, PhD, science writer —

Off-label use of TNF-alpha inhibitors may help some people with hard-to-treat sarcoidosis ease their symptoms or prevent them from getting worse, according to a meta-analysis study. Data also showed that these inhibitors, particularly Remicade (infliximab), may work slightly better for patients who have symptoms of sarcoidosis…

Adalimumab — a medication that blocks the pro-inflammatory TNF-alpha protein — safely and effectively eased symptoms of cardiac sarcoidosis in seven adults, allowing them to reduce or discontinue their use of corticosteroids, a study reports. The therapy also promoted a rise in the number of lymphocytes, a type of…

The chance of developing sarcoidosis is nearly halved in those with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a sleeping disorder wherein breathing slows or stops repeatedly and for short times during sleep, according to a large study involving U.S. veterans. The findings point to OSA as a protective factor for sarcoidosis.

Patients with sarcoidosis of the heart, called cardiac sarcoidosis, with no other organ involved have more advanced symptoms at their first doctor visit than those with prior involvement of organs other than the heart, a study found. With time, they also develop a type of irregular heartbeat called ventricular…

African Americans with advanced-stage pulmonary sarcoidosis who are taking Acthar Gel (repository corticotropin injection) may see their symptoms ease and be able to reduce the use of other medications, according to new findings. The findings were pulled from a new subgroup analysis of a real-world study that…

Poorer lung function and a higher body mass index (BMI), a measure indicating obesity, are significantly associated with a lower self-reported quality of life in people with sarcoidosis, a German study found. Of note, the tool used to assess quality of life — called the King’s Sarcoidosis Questionnaire or…

Females with suspected cardiac sarcoidosis experience chest pain and palpitations more frequently than males, but their heart is affected less severely by the condition, a study suggests. Yet, the incidence of either death from all causes or significant ventricular arrhythmia — an abnormal rhythm in the heart’s lower chambers…

A DNA sequencing technology called next-generation sequencing (NGS) may be used to detect tuberculosis (TB) rapidly and accurately — which could help in distinguishing it from sarcoidosis, a study suggests. While tuberculosis and sarcoidosis share many symptoms, the therapies for the two diseases differ greatly, according to researchers.