Published on
Updated
Reading 2 mins.
in collaboration with
Dr Gérald Kierzek (Medical Director)
Thin and visibly tired, Mohammed VI worried his entourage during a public appearance on the occasion of the launch of the first Moroccan car brand. In addition to his heart problems, the king of Morocco indeed suffers from sarcoidosis. But what is this pathology?
The state of health of King Mohammed VI, 59, is occupying the international scene these days. In question ? A public appearance on the occasion of the launch of the first Moroccan automobile brand, in which the monarch seemed very thin, pale and weakened. A state that he owes not only to his heart problems (in two years, the sovereign had to have heart surgery twice). For several months, the man has also been suffering from what is called sarcoidosis.
Sarcoidosis, a disease that affects the immune system
According to the Elsan website, sarcoidosis is a chronic disease “which can affect any organ of the body, but usually affects the lungs”. It is characterized by the formation of nodules in the tissues and is often associated with inflammation. Its etiology remains unknown to this day, but the most probable hypothesis lies in the fact that many antigens of infectious or environmental origin would trigger an excessive immune reaction in genetically predisposed individuals. Reaction which would cause the accumulation of granulomas or inflammatory cells, in the organs, in particular in the lungs.
The most striking symptom is a dry cough, which lasts more than two weeks, sometimes accompanied by shortness of breath.
But the disease can also induce:
- Skin lesions;
- Visual disturbances;
- Joint pain;
- severe fatigue;
- A fever ;
- Weight loss.
A “quirk” difficult to diagnose
“Sarcoidosis is one of those medical oddities that can affect all organs and simulate all pathologies” evokes Dr Gérald Kierzek, medical director of Doctissimo. “We do not know the cause, nor the exact frequency, nor the triggering factors. But it is more like an inflammatory, autoimmune disease”.
Therefore, establishing an accurate diagnosis, which relies on internal medicine, is always a bit complicated. : “It is essentially a lung condition, which is discovered by x-rays, but the granulomas can be found throughout the body. It is a diagnosis that comes to mind when there is a diagnostic wandering for months, and pulmonary symptoms, but without cancer or tuberculosis…”
But an often benign condition
Fortunately, if we do not really know where it comes from, sarcoidosis often reveals itself as a benign disease, which regresses spontaneously in two out of three patients, that is to say without any treatment. The other third, on the other hand, may experience a chronic condition. It is then necessary to put in place a drug treatment based on corticosteroids, or even immunosuppressants.
“In 10 to 20% of those affected, sarcoidosis can lead to severe disability due to damage that develops in the eyes, lungs or other organs” indicates the Elsan website.
Complications such as pulmonary fibrosis can then appear. In total, the mortality rate of sarcoidosis is between 1 and 8%.