Takayasu arteritis in southern Sweden.

Abstract

To study the epidemiology and clinical characteristics of Takayasu arteritis (TA) in southern Sweden. The study area is situated in Skåne, the southernmost county in Sweden (total population December 2011: 983,419, 50.5% women). Patients were identified using clinical registries in all the 5 hospitals and private rheumatology clinics within the study area between the years 1997 and 2011. The diagnosis of TA was confirmed by medical records review. Only patients fulfilling the 1990 American College of Rheumatology classification criteria were included. Thirteen patients (all women) were identified. The median age at diagnosis was 23 years [interquartile range (IQR) 16-38]. Ten patients were diagnosed between 1997 and 2011. The annual incidence rate was estimated to 0.7/million inhabitants (95% CI 0.3-1.2) and 1.5/million among women (95% CI 0.6-2.4). Patients were followed for a median of 9 years (IQR 4-17.5). As of January 1, 2012, all 13 patients were alive and living within the study area. The point prevalence per million inhabitants was 13.2 (95% CI 6.0-20.4), and 26.2 among women (95% CI 11.9-40.4). Subclavian arteries were the most commonly affected vessels. Organ damage was common, affecting all patients. Seven pregnancies resulting in 5 live births and 2 abortions were registered after the diagnosis of TA. The incidence of TA in Sweden is comparable to recently reported rates from other European studies, while the prevalence is higher than previously reported. The prognosis of TA is good, but the rate of damage is high.