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Study identifies prevalence of patients with RA, SLE, SSc in Greece
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A population-based study has been conducted to determine the prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus and systemic sclerosis across Greece, according to a recently presented data.
The Greek National Organization for Provision of Healthcare Services electronic prescription platform consists of 7,742,629 Greek citizens, representing 72% of the total population. Researchers used anonymized 2014 data from the platform to identify patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and systemic sclerosis (SSc).
Analysis showed that the prevalence of RA was 0.84%, with a 4:1 woman-to-man ratio. The prevalence of SLE was 0.075%, and a 9:1 woman-to-man ratio was observed, and the prevalence of SSc was 0.016%, also with a 9:1 ratio of women to men.
Slight variations were seen with age, with the highest percentage of women (94%) with SSC observed among patients who were older than 74 years, thus supporting a previously suspected earlier mortality of men with SSc compared with women, according to the researchers.
The researchers noted that some data may be missing due to mild disease or failure to receive treatment. The group is continuing to analyze the database and wrote that data from the second part of 2014 cover 95% of the Greek population, and analysis of that data set may confirm these preliminary findings. – by Shirley Pulawski
Reference:
Sfikakis P, et al. Paper #SAT0361. Presented at: European League Against Rheumatism Annual European Congress of Rheumatology; June 10-13, 2015; Rome.
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.