[Change of patients profile hospitalized because of pulmonary sarcoidosis in Department of Pneumonology in Zabrze (Poland) in 1976-80 and in 1996-2000].

The comparision of two groups of patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis hospitalized in Department of Pneumonology Silesian Medical School of Medicine in Zabrze in 1976-1980 (n=120) and 20 years later i.e. in 1986-2000 (n=190) was done. We have noticed, that in comparision with period of 1976-80 the mean age of patients hospitalized in 1986-2000 has significantly increased (41.6 vs. 37.0 p < 0.05) and percentage of females has significantly diminished (50.0% vs. 63.3% p < 0.05). No change in age structure of patients in both groups was observed. Sarcoidosis was observed most frequently (about in 34% of patients) among subjects aged 30-39 years. In group hospitalized in 1996-2000 percent of patients aged above 60 has rised (6.8% vs. 2.5%) and percent of patients without clinical complaints has significantly decreased (30.5% vs. 50.0% p < 0.05), also percent of subjects in II radiological stage has significantly diminished (32.1% vs. 52.5% p < 0.05). We conclude that during 20 years the profile of hospitalized patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis has changed.