title: Nephrogenic systemic fibrosis in Denmark--a nationwide investigation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Nephrogenic systemic fibrosis is a debilitating and painful disorder with an increased stimulation of the connective tissue in the skin and systemic tissues. The disease is associated with exposure to gadolinium-based contrast agent used in magnetic resonance imaging in patients with renal impairment.
  
  
  METHODS
  The prevalence of nephrogenic systemic fibrosis has so far never been determined at a national level. In 2009, Denmark was the first country to design a guideline for the tracing of nephrogenic systemic fibrosis patients. The aim of this paper is to communicate the main findings of this quest.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The outcome of the nationwide investigation revealed that Denmark had 65 patients with nephrogenic systemic fibrosis and thereby the highest prevalence of nephrogenic systemic fibrosis worldwide with 65 per 5.6 million inhabitants, or 12 per million.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The nationwide investigation in Denmark revealed the highest prevalence of NSF worldwide. This may be rooted in a high level of awareness of NSF both among doctors, politicians and, not least, the media, combined with the fact that a nationwide NSF investigation was initiated.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark ; Department of Dermatology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark.
authors.forename: Tina R
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Elmholdt
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark.
authors.forename: Anne B B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Olesen
authors.affiliation: Department of Nephrology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark.
authors.forename: Bettina
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Jørgensen
authors.affiliation: Department of Nephrology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark.
authors.forename: Stinne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kvist
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermato-Allergology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Gentofte, Denmark.
authors.forename: Lone
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Skov
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev, Denmark.
authors.forename: Henrik S
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Thomsen
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Copenhagen University Hospital, Roskilde, Denmark ; Department of Nephrology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Marckmann
authors.affiliation: Institute of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark ; MR Research Centre, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pedersen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003718:Denmark / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D054989:Nephrogenic Fibrosing Dermopathy / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology; D015995:Prevalence; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D051437:Renal Insufficiency / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA