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Sarcoidosis in Europe: a cooperative study
Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences
|January 1, 1976
Summary
Epidemiologic data suggest geographic sarcoidosis (a chronic inflammatory disease) prevalence differences in Europe are not real. Actual rates depend on disease awareness and asymptomatic case detection efforts.
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology
- Pulmonology
- Public Health
Background:
- Sarcoidosis is a multisystem inflammatory disease with poorly understood geographic variations in prevalence.
- Previous studies suggested differing sarcoidosis incidence rates across European regions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To critically review existing epidemiologic data on sarcoidosis across Europe.
- To re-evaluate apparent geographic disparities in sarcoidosis frequency.
Main Methods:
- Review of available epidemiologic data on sarcoidosis from 24 European countries.
- Analysis of factors influencing reported disease incidence, including diagnostic awareness and case ascertainment.
Main Results:
- Apparent North-South differences in sarcoidosis frequency appear to be artifacts.
- Disease knowledge and active detection of asymptomatic sarcoidosis significantly impact reported incidence rates.
Conclusions:
- Geographic variations in sarcoidosis prevalence in Europe may be overestimated.
- Future research should focus on improving disease awareness and systematic detection of subclinical cases.
- A prospective, cooperative European study on sarcoidosis incidence is recommended.