A study of the prevalence of systemic sclerosis in northeast England.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to obtain an estimate of the prevalence and demographics of systemic sclerosis (SSc) and its subtypes at the turn of the millennium.

METHODS: Case finding from multiple sources from a defined geographical area. Diagnosis confirmed by clinical examination.

RESULTS: The crude prevalence of SSc in northeast England was 8.8 (95% CI: 6.8-10.8) per 100,000. The prevalence when adjusted for the entire UK is 8.2 (95% CI: 6.2-9.8) per 100,000. The ratio of women to men was 5.2:1. The median age of patients was 57.1 yr. The ratio of limited cutaneous SSc to diffuse cutaneous SSc was 4.7:1. Limited cutaneous SSc is associated with the presence of anticentromere antibodies; diffuse cutaneous SSc is associated with anti-Scl 70 antibodies, but either antibody was found in either form of SSc.

CONCLUSIONS: SSc appears to be more common in northeast England than was found in the West Midlands in 1986. This may reflect changes in the diagnostic definition of SSc.