Incidence of systemic lupus erythematosus in Finland, 2000-2007, a nationwide study

CER7369
2014 Vol.32, N°6
PI 0953, PF 0955
Brief Papers

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PMID: 25328038 [PubMed]

Received: 26/02/2014
Accepted : 19/06/2014
In Press: 20/10/2014
Published: 09/12/2014

Abstract

OBJECTIVES:
To determine the age- and sex-specific incidence rates of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in Finland.
METHODS:
The incident cases were identified through diagnostic register searches for SLE on the nationwide database of the Social Insurance Institution.
RESULTS:
During the 8-year study period 599 incident cases occurred (518 females, 81 males). The mean annual incidence rate of SLE for adults was 1.69 per 100,000 (95% CI 1.56-1.84) and was highest among females aged 40-59 years. The gender incidence rate ratio was 6.43 (95% CI 5.06–8.26). The incidence for children was 0.39 (95% CI 0.27-0.55).
CONCLUSIONS:
The incidence of SLE was lower compared to the countries at the same latitudes. SLE in children remained a rarity.