Sarcoidosis in South Africa. A comparative study in Whites, Blacks and Coloureds

One hundred and ten cases of sarcoidosis seen in Cape Town over a 7-year period (1969-1975) are reported. Seventy-one patients were Coloured, 25 Black and 14 White. The calculated minimum incidence of sarcoidosis in the Cape Peninsula is 23,2/100 000 population in Blacks, 11,6/100 000 in Coloureds and 3,7/100 000 in Whites. Differences in the incidence, presentation, clinical and laboratory features in the three groups of patients are presented and discussed. The differences between Whites and Blacks are similar to those reported from the USA, and the Coloured patients resemble the Blacks. The study clarifies some of the misconceptions about the incidence of sarcoidosis in South Africa, and documents the similarity of sarcoidosis in American and African Blacks.