OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence and prevalence of clinically significant ankylosing spondylitis (AS) in Finland. METHODS: The incidence study covered patients entitled under the nationwide sickness insurance scheme to receive specially reimbursed medication for AS in 5/21 central hospital districts in Finland (population base about one million adults > or = 16 years of age) in 1980, 1985, and 1990. The prevalence study covered a representative sample of the Finnish population > or = 30 years of age, initially comprising 8000 persons, of whom 7217 participated in the field survey carried out in 1978-1980. RESULTS: The annual incidence of AS requiring antirheumatic medication was 6.9/100,000 [95% confidence interval (CI), 6.0-7.8] adults. Eleven cases of clinically significant AS were encountered in the prevalence study, corresponding to a prevalence of 0.15% (95% CI, 0.08-0.27%). The ratio between the prevalence rate and the annual incidence rate was 22. CONCLUSION: This study provides population based data on the incidence and prevalence of clinically significant AS in Finland. The incidence rates of AS remained similar for the 3 study years.
OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence and prevalence of clinically significant ankylosing spondylitis (AS) in Finland. METHODS: The incidence study covered patients entitled under the nationwide sickness insurance scheme to receive specially reimbursed medication for AS in 5/21 central hospital districts in Finland (population base about one million adults > or = 16 years of age) in 1980, 1985, and 1990. The prevalence study covered a representative sample of the Finnish population > or = 30 years of age, initially comprising 8000 persons, of whom 7217 participated in the field survey carried out in 1978-1980. RESULTS: The annual incidence of AS requiring antirheumatic medication was 6.9/100,000 [95% confidence interval (CI), 6.0-7.8] adults. Eleven cases of clinically significant AS were encountered in the prevalence study, corresponding to a prevalence of 0.15% (95% CI, 0.08-0.27%). The ratio between the prevalence rate and the annual incidence rate was 22. CONCLUSION: This study provides population based data on the incidence and prevalence of clinically significant AS in Finland. The incidence rates of AS remained similar for the 3 study years.
Authors: P Trontzas; A Andrianakos; S Miyakis; K Pantelidou; E Vafiadou; V Garantziotou; C Voudouris Journal: Clin Rheumatol Date: 2005-04-29 Impact factor: 2.980
Authors: Jeffrey R Curtis; Leslie R Harrold; Maryam M Asgari; Atul Deodhar; Craig Salman; Joel M Gelfand; Jashin J Wu; Lisa J Herrinton Journal: Perm J Date: 2016-07-29
Authors: Heikki Relas; Hannu Kautiainen; Kari Puolakka; Lauri J Virta; Marjatta Leirisalo-Repo Journal: Clin Rheumatol Date: 2014-06-07 Impact factor: 2.980