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Study data demonstrate prevalence, treatment differences for ankylosing spondylitis in Sweden
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The prevalence of clinically diagnosed ankylosing spondylitis is between 0.14% and 0.18% within the Swedish population, according to recently published data.
Using the Swedish National Patient Register on Dec. 31, 2009, researchers identified 20,044 cases of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) registered in the database between 1967 and 2009. Among those patients, 11,030 patients (63.8% male) met the inclusion criteria of being between the ages of 16 years and 64 years, being alive and living in Sweden in 2009, representing 0.18% of the population. Patients who died or emigrated during the study period were excluded.
Of the 11,030 patients, 8,538 met more strict criteria of at least one diagnosis of AS by a rheumatology or internal medicine department, representing 0.14% of the population.
Sex-related differences with regard to certain AS-related clinical manifestations were observed among the patients, according to the researchers. Men were more likely to be treated with tumor necrosis factor-alpha inhibitors, whereas women were more likely to receive glucocorticoids - a difference that remained significant after adjusting for age and disease manifestations. Additionally, men were more likely to have anterior uveitis and women were more likely to have peripheral arthritis and psoriasis. The differences persisted regardless of base or strict criteria of diagnosis group, the researchers reported.
The male-to-female ratio was lower at younger ages and highest at age 50 years. Until age 50 years, the prevalence of AS increased linearly with age.
Clinical diagnosis of AS was most prevalent in the northern region of Sweden with a rate of 0.24% compared with 0.16% in the southern region, according to the researchers. - by Shirley Pulawski
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.
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