Abstract
BackgroundThis nationwide study aimed to elucidate the incidence and clinical characteristics of tissue-verified sarcoidosis in Iceland. A secondary aim was to analyse sex differences and identify possible environmental factors contributing to the pathological process.Materials and methodsThis is a descriptive study covering 36 years (January 1, 1981 through December 31, 2016). Histopathological reports and electronic hospital discharge registries were reviewed in context for granulomas and/or sarcoidosis. National data were used for comparison regarding smoking habits and occupation, adjusted for age, sex and year of diagnosis. The data were stored in FileMaker and calculations were made by extracting data from this database to the statistical software package R.ResultsA total of 418 patients (54% females) were diagnosed with tissue-verified sarcoidosis. The incidence rate was 4.15/100 000/year, similar among females and males. The mean age at diagnosis was higher among females (53.0±14.2 years) than males (48.2±13.8 years). Fatigue was the most frequent single symptom (49.7%), but when all respiratory symptoms were grouped, they were the most frequent symptoms (60%). No significant difference was found between smoking status and sarcoidosis. Possible hazardous exposure in the workplace was reported by 19.4% of the cases.ConclusionThe incidence of sarcoidosis in Iceland was higher than in an Asian population where the same inclusion criteria were applied. The clinical picture diverges partly from that in the Asian population but resembles that among other Caucasians. Fatigue and respiratory symptoms were predominant. The biphasic pattern of age at disease debut seen elsewhere among females was not evident in Iceland.
Publisher
European Respiratory Society (ERS)
Subject
Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine
Reference55 articles.
1. Sarcoidosis: the links between epidemiology and aetiology
2. Statement on Sarcoidosis
3. Etiologies of Sarcoidosis
4. ACCESS: A Case Control Etiologic Study of Sarcoidosis;Semenzato;Sarcoidosis Vasc Diffuse Lung Dis,2005
5. The frequency of sarcoidosis in Finland and Hokkaido, Japan. A comparative epidemiological study;Pietinalho;Sarcoidosis,1995
Cited by
7 articles.
订阅此论文施引文献
订阅此论文施引文献,注册后可以免费订阅5篇论文的施引文献,订阅后可以查看论文全部施引文献