Sarcoidosis is an inflammatory disease that can affect almost any organ in the body. It most commonly starts in the lungs or lymph nodes. Although no one knows exactly what causes sarcoidosis, it is clear that the disease is characterized by the formation of granulomas which are small collections of tissue and inflammatory cells.
Granulomas collect in various organs of the body and can lead to chronic inflammation and scarring.
Sarcoidosis and African American Women Sarcoidosis is a relatively common disease affecting people of all ages and sexes. It usually affects people between the ages of 20 and 40, but it can occur in children and in the elderly. In the United States, sarcoidosis is approximately 10-15 times more common in African Americans than Whites. African American females get sarcoidosis 2 times more commonly than African American males. In Europe, the disease affects mostly Whites, with rates as high as 64 per 100,000 in Sweden.