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Semin Respir Crit Care Med 2010; 31(4): 485-493
DOI: 10.1055/s-0030-1262216
© Thieme Medical Publishers

Quality of Life in Sarcoidosis: Assessment and Management

Jolanda De Vries1 , 2 , 3 , Elyse E. Lower4 , Marjolein Drent3
  • 1CoRPS, Department of Medical Psychology and Neuropsychology, Tilburg University, Tilburg, The Netherlands
  • 2Department of Medical Psychology, St. Elisabeth Hospital, Tilburg, The Netherlands
  • 3Sarcoidosis Management Center, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands
  • 4Department of Internal Medicine, University of Cincinnati Medical Center, Cincinnati Ohio
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Publication History

Publication Date:
27 July 2010 (online)

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ABSTRACT

This review focuses on current knowledge of the QOL (quality of life) and HS (health status) of sarcoidosis patients. The QOL and HS of sarcoidosis patients are impaired and symptoms are a cause of this impairment. Fatigue appears to be the major problem in sarcoidosis patients. QOL is a concept that concerns patients’ evaluation of their functioning in a wide range of domains, but always the physical, psychological, and social domain. HS concerns patients’ physical, psychological, and social functioning. There are a number of HS questionnaires and one QOL measure that have shown useful in sarcoidosis. In addition, there exists one sarcoidosis-specific HS measure. The main symptom of fatigue can be assessed reliably and valid with the Fatigue Assessment Scale.

The absence of objective parameters for experiencing impairment does not always mean that patients are healthy. Because what patients can handle is clearly decreased, the activities should be adapted accordingly.

Present studies are generally cross-sectional. There is a need for prospective follow-up studies assessing the natural course of patients’ disease in relation to symptoms and QOL.

KEYWORDS

Fatigue - sarcoidosis - quality of life - assessment - management

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Jolanda De VriesPh.D. 

CoRPS, Department of Medical Psychology and Neuropsychology

Tilburg University, P.O. Box 90153, 5000 LE Tilburg, The Netherlands

Email: j.devries@uvt.nl

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