AB0222 Incidence of ar in albania (based on hospital data, 2004-2011)
Authors: E. P. Zaimi, E. Zaimi, T. B. Cico
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2013)

<h3>Background</h3> Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic autoimmune disease that causes chronic inflammation of the joints and surrounding tissues. In this paper we provide the first data on the incidence of AR in patients hospitalized in the University Hospital Center in the period 2004-2011. All cases are new cases with AR, for the first time in QSUT, during the study period. <h3>Objectives</h3> 1) to recognize the burden of AR disease in Albania; 2) to evaluate the trend of the disease in years; 3) to evaluate the occurrence of the disease in relation to age by gender. <h3>Methods</h3> All patients were evaluated clinically and laboratory blood samples for evaluation of FR, and were diagnosed according to the international criteria for diagnosis of AR. The data were obtained from hospital electronic registry 2004-2012 (Statistical Service, University Hospital Center), including patients aged ≥ 14 years, diagnosed for the first time with the AR. The data for the total number of the population were obtained from the registry Census 2001, INSTAT. <h3>Results</h3> 73.8% of the population affected with AR were female and 26.2% were male (F / M = 2.8 / 1). The average age of the total population was 48.94 ± 11.86 years. Annual incidence rate was 11/100 000. AR incidence for females was 15.9/100 000. and 5.8/100 000 for men. RA was rare in men under the age of 45 years. The incidence in men increased significantly with age The incidence for AR patients grows up to the age of 44-55 years, and declines sharply after the age of 65. Higher incidence of AR was seen in 2006 (11.07/100000), 2005 (11.62/100000) and in 2011 (12.87/100000). <h3>Conclusions</h3> AR is one of the most common diseases in the Albanian population. <h3>References</h3> Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Prevalence and impact of arthritis among women--United States, 1989-1991.[erratum appears in MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 1995 Jul 14;44(27):517-8]. MMWR - Morbidity &amp; Mortality Weekly Report. May 5 1995;44(17):329-334. Mili F, Helmick CG, Zack MM. Prevalence of arthritis: analysis of data from the US Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 1996-99. Journal of Rheumatology. Sep 2002;29(9):1981-1988. Elliott BA, Johnson KM, Leff RD, Day JJ. Arthritis in Indian country: determining the prevalence and effects. Ethnicity &amp; Disease. Spring-Summer 2000;10(2):224-231. Wang PP, Elsbett-Koeppen R, Geng G, Badley EM. Arthritis prevalence and place of birth: findings from the 1994 Canadian National Population Health Survey. American Journal of Epidemiology. Sep 1 2000;152(5):442-445. Martin SA, Haren MT, Taylor AW, Middleton SM, Wittert GA, Florey Adelaide Male Ageing S. Chronic disease prevalence and associations in a cohort of Australian men: the Florey Adelaide Male Ageing Study (FAMAS). BMC Public Health. 2008;8:261. Schneider S, Schmitt G, Richter W. Prevalence and correlates of inflammatory arthritis in Germany: Data from the First National Health Survey. Rheumatology International. Nov 2006;27(1):29-38. Spector TD, Hart DJ, Powell RJ. Prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis and rheumatoid factor in women: evidence for a secular decline. Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases. Apr 1993;52(4) <h3>Acknowledgements</h3> Gratitude to all colleagues who have worked and are working in the service of Rheumatology at the University Hospital Center “Mother Teresa” in Tirana, and especially Prof. Dr. Koco Poro, Prof. Dr. Tafaj agenda, and Dr. Besa Vukatana. <h3>Disclosure of Interest</h3> None Declared