A recent study of U. S. Navy enlisted men indicated substantially higher sarcoidosis incidence rates for Blacks than for Whites. The Navy average sarcoidosis incidence for 1990-93 was 16.0 per 100,000 Black men and 2.5 per 100,000 for White men. Other minority groups were not analyzed in this study. The remaining patients live with moderate degrees of impairment and disability. Know when to get help.
Sarcoidosis can occur without symptoms.
But when warning signs do occur, the include a dry cough, shortness of breath, or mild chest pain. Sometimes, these are accompanied by fatigue, weakness, and weight loss. Some cases may also include a scaly rash, reddish nodules on the legs, fever, eye soreness, and painfully swollen ankles. Less commonly, lesions may affect bones, joints, muscles or the heart and other organs. If you recognize symptoms, get to your doctor.