title: Epidemiology of Rheumatoid Arthritis in Southern Albania.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence, incidence and the burden of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in the Southern Albania.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is an epidemiologic observational study with cross-sectional analyses of all patients with RA who lived in Southern Albania during the 1995-2011 years. The RA prevalence, incidence and disability-adjusted life years (DALY) were assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  During the 1995-2011 years, 194 patients (154 females and 40 males) with RA living in Southern Albania were identified. The prevalence of RA in 2011 was 0.25% in general population and 0.34% in adult (>14 years) population. The incidence of RA in 2011 was 0.012% (12 new cases per 100000 inhabitants) and 0.016% (16 new cases per 100000 adults). The prevalence increased (from 0.036% in 1996 to 0.25% in 2011) and the incidence did not change over the study period. The mortality was 3.2% (n=7 deaths). The DALY due to RA was 823 years per 100000 inhabitants during 1995-2011 years.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  RA in Southern Albania has a prevalence of 0.25 % and an annual incidence of 0.012% in the general population in 2011. RA was responsible for a considerable burden on the health of population during the 1995-2011 years.
authors.affiliation: Regional Hospital of Gjirokaster, Albania.
authors.forename: Vjollca
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Koko
authors.affiliation: University Hospital Center of Tirana, Albania.
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ndrepepa
authors.affiliation: University Hospital Center of Tirana, Albania.
authors.forename: Skender
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Skenderaj
keywords: Albania; Rheumatoid arthritis; incidence; prevalence