ABSTRACT
The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and incidence of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) in Tucumán, Argentina. METHODS: The study included inpatient and outpatient charts from four public hospitals and private practice rheumatology clinics, all of them members of the Tucumán Rheumatology Society. Patients older than 16 years with diagnosis of SLE between January 2005 and December 2012 were included. Prevalence and annual incidence were calculated as the number of cases per 100.000 inhabitants during the period 2005 to 2012. RESULTS: Three hundred fifty-three patients were identified. The mean age at diagnosis was 30.5 ± 11.7 years, 93.5% women, 83% mestizos. Prevalence was 24.3 cases/100.000 inhabitants (CI 95% 22.6-28.8) and age-adjusted (≥16 years) of 34.9 cases/100.000 inhabitants (CI 95% 32.8-41.1). The annual incidence in 2005 was 1.8 cases/100.000 inhabitants (95% CI 1-2.9) and 2012 of 4.2 cases/100.000 inhabitants (95% CI 2.9-5.8). Mortality was 9.1%, with infections being the most frequent cause (14/32). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of SLE in the province of Tucumán was 34.9 cases/100.000 inhabitants.
Subject(s)
Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/epidemiology , Adolescent , Adult , Age Distribution , Argentina/epidemiology , Female , Humans , Incidence , Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/mortality , Male , Prevalence , Sex Distribution , Young AdultABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To ascertain the prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in Tucumán, Argentina. METHODS: The study was conducted between January 1, 1998, and December 31, 1999, in Tucumán province in northwest Argentina. Outpatient and hospitalization medical records for all patients with RA aged > or = 16 years were reviewed. Diagnosis was by 1987 American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria for RA and the population data were based on the 1991 national census. Prevalence rates, with 95% CI, were calculated using the number of San Miguel de Tucumán residents who fulfilled the 1987 ACR criteria for RA as numerator, and the city population aged > or = 16 as denominator. Crude and age-specific prevalence rates were calculated as number of cases/1,000 inhabitants. RESULTS: We identified 695 cases of RA. Sex-specific and overall prevalence rates (per 1,000) were 1.97 (95% CI 1.8-2) for all, 0.6 (95% CI 0.49-0.73) for men, 3.2 (95% CI 2.9-3.5) for women. CONCLUSION: Prevalence of RA is low in residents of Tucumán, Argentina, and comparable with rates observed in epidemiological surveys from Southern European countries.
