Who Gets Sarcoidosis?

Sarcoidosis affects people of all ages and races worldwide.

It occurs mostly in:

• Adults between the ages of 20 and 40
• African Americans (especially women)
• People of Asian, German, Irish, Puerto Rican, and Scandinavian origin.

In the United States, sarcoidosis affects African Americans somewhat more often and more severely than Caucasians.

Studies have shown that sarcoidosis is more likely to affect certain organs in certain populations. For example,

• Sarcoidosis of the heart and eye appears to be more common in Japan.
• Painful skin lumps on the legs occur more often in people from Northern Europe.

People who are more likely to get sarcoidosis include:

• Health care workers
• Nonsmokers
• Elementary and secondary school teachers
• People exposed to agricultural dust, insecticides, pesticides, or mold
• Firefighters.

Brothers and sisters, parents, and children of people who have sarcoidosis are more likely than others to have sarcoidosis.