Patterns of sarcoidosis in three population groups in New York City

Abstract

Caucasians in this study group presented in the chronic stage of sarcoidosis more frequently than the Blacks and Puerto-Rican-born. 2) Twenty-eight percent of the Caucasians and 26% of the Blacks who presented in the chronic stage of sarcoidosis, died of pulmonary insufficiency. 3) Puerto-Rican-born women are especially prone to present with erythema nodosum and Stage I radiographic sarcoidosis. 4) Sarcoidosis with extrathoracic organ involvement was more common in Black and Puerto-Rican-born patients than in Caucasians. 5) The size of the Kveim papules was larger in the Black and Puerto-Rican-born patients than among the Caucasians. 6) Two-thirds of all groups were insensitive to tuberculin. 7) The extent and duration of disease at presentation is a major determinant prognosis. 8) Ethnic factors influence the clinical patterns in sarcoidosis, but socioeconomic factors may preclude generalizations based solely upon clinic populations in New York City.