Publication
Prevalence of sarcoidosis in Switzerland is associated with environmental factors
Journal Paper/Review - Nov 6, 2009
Deubelbeiss U, Gemperli A, Schindler C, Baty Florent, Brutsche Martin
Units
PubMed
Doi
Citation
Type
Journal
Publication Date
Issn Electronic
Brief description/objective
The current study aims to investigate incidence, prevalence and regional distribution of sarcoidosis in Switzerland with respect to environmental exposures.All sarcoidosis patients hospitalized between 2002 and 2005 were identified from the Swiss hospital statistics. Regional exposure characteristics included the regional distribution of different industrial sectors, agriculture, and air quality. Co-inertia analysis as well as a generalized linear model was applied.The prevalence of "ever-in-life" diagnosed sarcoidosis, currently active sarcoidosis and sarcoidosis requiring hospitalisation was 121 [95% CI, 93 to 149], 44 [95% CI 34 to 54], and 16 [95% CI 10 to 22] per 100'000 inhabitants, respectively. The mean annual incidence of sarcoidosis were 7 [95% CI, 5 to 11] per 100'000 inhabitants. The regional workforce in metal industry, water supply, air transport factories and the area of potato production, artificial meadows (syn: grassland) and bread grains were positively associated with the frequency of sarcoidosis.The prevalence of sarcoidosis was higher than assumed based on former international estimates. Higher frequency was found in regions with metal industry, and intense agriculture, especially production of potatoes, bread grains, and artificial meadows.