M A Cimmino1, A Zaccaria. 1. Clinic of Rheumatology, DI.M.I., University of Genoa, Italy. cimmino@unige.it
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To review the data on the epidemiology of polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR), in particular geographical and temporal differences in incidence and its risk factors including the actinic hypothesis. METHODS: Evaluation of the literature. RESULTS: Epidemiological data show that the incidence of PMR varies between 12.7/100,000 in Italy and 112.6/100,000 in Norway with a geographical gradient of increased frequency in the northern hemisphere. The incidence of PMR and giant cell arteritis (GCA) have increased in recent years. This observation may be related to a greater awareness of the disease but also to real epidemiological changes. Risk factors for PMR/GCA include infections, smoking, sun exposure, and nulliparity. CONCLUSION: Epidemiological studies have helped to unravel the etiopathogenic factors at work in PMR/GCA. More data are needed on the correlation between the incidence of PMR/GCA and epidemics of infectious diseases and on environmental and biological risk factors.
OBJECTIVE: To review the data on the epidemiology of polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR), in particular geographical and temporal differences in incidence and its risk factors including the actinic hypothesis. METHODS: Evaluation of the literature. RESULTS: Epidemiological data show that the incidence of PMR varies between 12.7/100,000 in Italy and 112.6/100,000 in Norway with a geographical gradient of increased frequency in the northern hemisphere. The incidence of PMR and giant cell arteritis (GCA) have increased in recent years. This observation may be related to a greater awareness of the disease but also to real epidemiological changes. Risk factors for PMR/GCA include infections, smoking, sun exposure, and nulliparity. CONCLUSION: Epidemiological studies have helped to unravel the etiopathogenic factors at work in PMR/GCA. More data are needed on the correlation between the incidence of PMR/GCA and epidemics of infectious diseases and on environmental and biological risk factors.
Authors: Xiang Wang; Zhi Ping Hu; Wei Lu; Xiang Q Tang; He P Yang; Liu W Zeng; Jie Zhang; Ting Li Journal: Rheumatol Int Date: 2008-08-21 Impact factor: 2.631
Authors: Daniel G Fernández-Ávila; Santiago Bernal-Macías; Diana N Rincón-Riaño; Juan M Gutiérrez; Diego Rosselli Journal: Rheumatol Int Date: 2019-07-20 Impact factor: 2.631