Course and prognosis of sarcoidosis in African-Americans versus Caucasians
- M. Luisetti,
- A. Beretta and
- L. Casali
From the authors:
In response to the letter from Reich 1, we are far from believing that sarcoidosis mortality is higher in African-Americans than in Caucasians, since we stated that mortality rates are reported to be similar among races 2. We therefore agree with J.M. Reich's qualification that findings of higher age-adjusted mortality rates reported among African-Americans than among Caucasians in the USA 3 reflect those of sarcoidosis incidence 4. With reference to ethnic differences in disease severity, there is a general consensus from the review of large series that sarcoidosis in Blacks is more severe, and that Whites are more likely to present with asymptomatic disease 5. As an example, the paper of Gideon and Mannino 3 reported that mortality rate in African-Americans peaked about 2 decades earlier than in Caucasians (ages 45–54 versus 75–84 yrs). This finding is taken as a further support of the notion that sarcoidosis in African-Americans has an earlier onset and a more aggressive course 4.
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