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A new study conducted by researchers from Boston University hasfound that sarcoidosis accounts for 25 percent of all deaths amongwomen in the Black Women's Health Study who have the disease. Thestudy is the largest epidemiologic study to date to specificallyaddress mortality in black females with sarcoidosis. Results of the study were presented at the ATS 2012 InternationalConference in San Francisco. The exact cause of sarcoidosis, which causes inflammation in thelungs, lymph nodes, liver, skin and other tissues, are unknown. Thedisease typically begins between the ages of 20 and 40 years, andis more likely to affect individuals who have a close bloodrelative with the disease. Sarcoidosis is often associated withdebilitating lung illness, including pulmonary fibrosis, alife-threatening condition in which fibrous tissue develops withinthe lungs. While all ages and races can develop sarcoidosis, in theUnited States, black women have a higher incidence of the disease,and tend to have a more severe course and higher mortality rates. "Despite the disproportionate morbidity and mortality ofsarcoidosis in black females, few studies have specificallyaddressed causes of death in this population," said study leadauthor Melissa Tukey, MD, pulmonary and critical care medicinefellow at Boston Medical Center. To conduct their analysis, the researchers used data from the BlackWomen's Health Study, a longitudinal study that enrolled 59,000African-American participants aged 21-69 when the study wasinitiated in 1995. During follow-up through 2008, demographic data,lifestyle factors and medical conditions, including sarcoidosis,were ascertained through biennial questionnaires. Self-reporteddiagnoses of sarcoidosis were confirmed in 96 percent of cases forwhom medical records or physician checklists were obtained. Theresearchers obtained data regarding deaths and causes of deathamong study subjects from the National Death Index. At the conclusion of their analysis, the researchers found that atotal of 109 deaths occurred among 1,152 women with a history ofsarcoidosis, reflecting a cumulative mortality rate of 9.5 percent.Of these deaths, the researchers determined that 25.7% (28 deaths)were directly attributable to sarcoidosis, and an additional 4.6%(five deaths) listed pulmonary hypertension or pulmonary fibrosis as the underlying or primary cause of death.Among women whose deaths were directly attributable to sarcoidosis,46 percent were caused by respiratory failure. The median age attime of death among all deaths was 58 years. "These findings highlight the importance of sarcoidosis, andpulmonary disease in particular, as a cause of premature deathamong black women with the disease," Dr. Tukey said. "Thisinformation can help prepare people with the disease to watch forworrisome symptoms so that treatment can be applied, and to alertdoctors to the possibility of severe pulmonary disease in blackwomen with sarcoidosis." Future studies are planned within the Black Women's Health Studylooking at genetic and environmental influences onsarcoidosis inblack women, she said. Additional References Citations. We are high quality suppliers, our products such as China Rubber Magnetic Strip , China Sticky Magnetic Strips for oversee buyer. To know more, please visits Magnetic Nail Art.
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