What symptom is most commonly reported by patients diagnosed with sarcoidosis?

In patients diagnosed with sarcoidosis, dyspnea, or shortness of breath, is the most commonly reported symptom. This respiratory symptom often arises due to the formation of granulomas—clusters of inflammatory cells—primarily in the lungs. As these granulomas develop, they can lead to pulmonary complications, such as restrictive lung disease, which manifests as difficulty in breathing.

Patients may experience dyspnea during exertion initially, which can progress to occurring at rest as the disease advances. Given that sarcoidosis primarily affects the lungs in a significant proportion of cases, respiratory symptoms often take precedence and are key indicators in making a diagnosis.

While chest pain can occur, especially if there is pleural involvement or inflammation near the pleura, it is not as commonly reported as dyspnea. Changes in vision can happen due to ocular sarcoidosis, but they are less frequent compared to respiratory issues and often involve specific populations. Unexplained weight gain is not typically associated with sarcoidosis, as the disease is more often correlated with weight loss due to systemic illness and inflammation.