Rare diseases bullet 3: Wegener's granulomatosis

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Abstract
The prevalence of WG in the United States has been estimated to be at least three per 100 000 with a male to female ratio of about 1:1. Most patients (80–97%) are Caucasian, whereas African-Americans comprise about 2–8% of most cohorts. The mean age at diagnosis is about 40–55 years, although individuals of any age may be affected.1 Whether there is significant variation in onset of disease with different seasons or precipitation of illness by inhalation of certain particulate or gaseous materials or infection remains a matter of controversy. Recent studies have not supported the notion of seasonal variation whether the data be derived from patient perceptions of disease onset, medical records, or national hospital discharge surveys.1 , 2