title: Estimating the incidence of connective tissue diseases and vasculitides in a defined population in Northern Savo area in 2010.
abstract: Objective of the study was to evaluate the annual incidence and distribution of autoimmune connective tissue diseases and vasculitides during 2010. All units practicing rheumatology in the Northern Savo area, Finland, participated in the study by collecting data on newly diagnosed adult patients with autoimmune connective tissue disease or vasculitis over 1-year period. Seventy-two cases with autoimmune connective tissue disease were identified. The annual incidence rates were as follows: systemic lupus erythematosus 3.4/100,000 (95 % CI 1.4-7.0), idiopathic inflammatory myopathies 1.9 (0.5-5.0), systemic sclerosis 4.4 (2.0-8.3), mixed connective tissue disease 1.0 (0.1-3.5), Sjögren's syndrome 10.7 (6.7-16.1) and undifferentiated connective tissue disease 13.6 (9.0-19.6). The annual incidence rates among vasculitis category were as follows: antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis 1.5/100,000 (95 % CI 0.3-4.3), central nervous system vasculitis 0.5 (0-2.7) and Henoch-Schönlein purpura 1.5 (0.3-4.3). The annual incidence of giant cell arteritis in the age group of 50 years or older was 7.5/100,000 (95 % CI 3.2-14.8). The longest delay from symptom onset to diagnosis occurred in systemic sclerosis. The incidences of autoimmune connective tissue diseases and vasculitides were comparable with those in published literature. The present study showed female predominance in all connective tissue diseases, excluding idiopathic inflammatory muscle diseases and mean age at onset of disease around 50 years of age. Despite improved diagnostic tools, diagnostic delay is long especially among patients with systemic sclerosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Kuopio University Hospital (KYS), P.O. Box 100, 70029, Kuopio, Finland. pia.elfving@kuh.fi.|Varkaus Hospital, Savontie 55, 78300, Varkaus, Finland. pia.elfving@kuh.fi.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Elfving
authors.affiliation: Varkaus Hospital, Savontie 55, 78300, Varkaus, Finland.
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Marjoniemi
authors.affiliation: Varkaus Hospital, Savontie 55, 78300, Varkaus, Finland.|Suonenjoki Health Centre, Sairaalapolku 6, 77600, Suonenjoki, Finland.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Niinisalo
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Kuopio University Hospital (KYS), P.O. Box 100, 70029, Kuopio, Finland.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kononoff
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Kuopio University Hospital (KYS), P.O. Box 100, 70029, Kuopio, Finland.|Iisalmi Hospital, P.O. Box 4, 74101, Iisalmi, Finland.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Arstila
authors.affiliation: Kuopio Municipal Hospital, Niuvantie 4, 70210, Kuopio, Finland.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Savolainen
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Kuopio University Hospital (KYS), P.O. Box 100, 70029, Kuopio, Finland.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rutanen
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Kuopio University Hospital (KYS), P.O. Box 100, 70029, Kuopio, Finland.
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Kaipiainen-Seppänen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003240:Connective Tissue Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D017678:Sex Distribution; D013997:Time Factors; D014657:Vasculitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Autoimmune connective tissue disease; Epidemiology; Incidence; Vasculitis