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Epidemiology of systemic vasculitis: A ten-year study in the United Kingdom

  1. Richard A. Watts1,*,
  2. Suzanne E. Lane1,
  3. Graham Bentham2,
  4. David G. I. Scott1

Article first published online: 2 APR 2001

DOI: 10.1002/1529-0131(200002)43:2<414::AID-ANR23>3.0.CO;2-0

Issue

Arthritis & Rheumatism

Arthritis & Rheumatism

Volume 43, Issue 2, pages 414–419, February 2000

Additional Information

How to Cite

Watts, R. A., Lane, S. E., Bentham, G. and Scott, D. G. I. (2000), Epidemiology of systemic vasculitis: A ten-year study in the United Kingdom. Arthritis & Rheumatism, 43: 414–419. doi: 10.1002/1529-0131(200002)43:2<414::AID-ANR23>3.0.CO;2-0

Author Information

  1. 1

    Norfolk and Norwich Hospital, Norwich, UK

  2. 2

    University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK

*Department of Rheumatology, Ipswich Hospital NHS Trust, Heath Road, Ipswich IP4 5PD, UK

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 2 APR 2001
  2. Article first published online: 2 APR 2001
  3. Manuscript Accepted: 5 OCT 1999
  4. Manuscript Received: 25 MAY 1999

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Abstract

Objective

To describe the epidemiology of the primary systemic vasculitides (PSV; Wegener's granulomatosis, Churg-Strauss syndrome, microscopic polyangiitis, polyarteritis nodosa) in a well-defined population over a 10-year period.

Methods

An inception cohort of patients from the Norwich Health Authority (NHA) who were >15 years of age and had PSV first diagnosed between January 1, 1988 and December 31, 1997 was collected. Incidence rates were adjusted for age and sex to the 1992 population. The prevalence of PSV in this cohort was estimated on December 31, 1997. Patients were classified according to the American College of Rheumatology 1990 vasculitis criteria and the Chapel Hill Consensus definitions.

Results

Eighty-two NHA residents fulfilled the inclusion criteria. There were 47 men and 35 women, with a mean age of 62.9 years (median 65.0 years). The overall annual incidence of PSV among NHA residents was 19.8/million (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 15.8–24.6). The point prevalence on December 31, 1997 was 144.5/million (95% CI 110.4–185.3). PSV was more common in males (23.5/million; 95% CI 17.3–31.3) than females (16.4/million; 95% CI 11.4–22.8). The age- and sex-specific incidence showed a clear increase with age, with an overall peak in the 65–74 year age group (60.1/million).

Conclusion

In our study population, the annual incidence of PSV is slowly increasing with time and the incidence is greatest in the elderly.

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