Patterns and trends in sarcoidosis: an epidemiological perspective.

The incidence, prevalence, and burden of sarcoidosis is increasing worldwide. The Nordic countries have the highest incidence with lowest rates reported in Asia. In the United States, Black females have the highest incidence and prevalence of disease. The phenotypic manifestations of sarcoidosis vary by race, age, gender, and geography. Historically, a female predominant pattern of disease occurrence has been widely reported, however, this is not a universal finding, and recent studies suggest an increasing incidence of disease in males. Though previously thought to be a disease of young adults, recent data shows the average age of diagnosis is now over 50 years with increasing incidence of disease reported in older adults (age >65 years). Historical trends of disease occurrence, familial patterns and trends of disease presentation, environmental and seasonal clustering of disease, and recent trends in morbidity, co-morbidity, and mortality of sarcoidosis are discussed in this review.