The outlook for sarcoidosis varies. Many people recover from the disease with few or no long-term problems.
- More than half of the people who have sarcoidosis have remission within 2-3 years of diagnosis. “Remission” means the disease isn't active, but it can return
- Two-thirds of people who have the disease have remission within 10 years of diagnosis. Relapse (return of the disease) 1 or more years after remission occurs in less than 5 percent of patients
- Sarcoidosis leads to organ damage in about one-third of the people diagnosed with the disease. Damage may occur over many years and involve more than one organ. Rarely, sarcoidosis can be fatal
- Poor outcomes are more likely in people who have advanced disease and show little improvement from treatment
- Some people are at higher risk for poor outcomes from chronic (long-term) sarcoidosis. This includes people who have lung scarring, heart or brain complications, or lupus pernio (LU-pus PUR-ne-o). Lupus pernio is a serious skin condition that sarcoidosis may cause