ECG-abnormalities in Japanese and Swedish patients with sarcoidosis. A comparison

Background and aim of the work: ECG abnormalities are more common in patien ts with sarcoidosis than in controls. The incidence of cardiac sarcoid gran ulomas in the Japanese population has been found to be higher than that see n in Caucasians. We compared the prevalence of ECG abnormalities in Japanes e and Swedish patients with sarcoidosis. Methods: Twelve-lead routine ECG's were compared between consecutive patients (134 Japanese and 149 Swedish) of similar age with histologically verified sarcoidosis or a high clinical probability of the disease and a history of no more than 12 months before t he ECG. Results: There was no statistically significant difference in the p revalence of first degree AV block, ST-T-segment abnormalities, right bundl e branch block (RBBB) and left anterior block (LAH) in Japanese and Swedish patients. Among the Swedes, the results were compared with those of a smal ler group (n = 29) of older patients with a longer disease course. In these few patients LAH and RBBB occurred more frequently than in patients with a recent diagnosis. Conclusions: ECG abnormalities in patients with sarcoido sis seem to be of similar frequency in Japan and Sweden. ST-T changes and f irst degree AV block would appear early in the course of the disease, where as more pronounced conduction defects may appear later.