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Scleroderma in Cairns: an epidemiological study.
Samuel Abbot1,2,3, Leah McWilliams4, Llewellyn Spargo4
1Cairns Clinical School, James Cook University College of Medicine and Dentistry, Cairns, Queensland, Australia.
Internal Medicine Journal
|June 4, 2019
Summary
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) prevalence is higher in Cairns, Australia, than previously documented. While migration contributes, other factors influence SSc
Area of Science:
- Rheumatology
- Epidemiology
- Autoimmune Diseases
Background:
- Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a severe autoimmune fibrosing condition.
- South Australia (SA) has a high SSc prevalence (23/100,000).
- Anecdotal evidence suggests higher SSc rates in Cairns.
Purpose of the Study:
- Determine SSc prevalence in Cairns and surrounding regions.
- Compare demographic and clinical features of SSc patients in Cairns versus SA.
Main Methods:
- Ascertained SSc patients in Cairns via hospital records and physician referrals.
- Conducted patient interviews and administered questionnaires.
- Compared Cairns cohort with patients from the Australian Scleroderma Cohort Study in SA.
Main Results:
- Identified 81 SSc patients in Cairns, yielding a prevalence of 33.7/100,000.
- Cairns cohort showed lower digital ulcer rates (30.8% vs. 46.6%) and higher calcinosis rates (29.2% vs. 17.0%) compared to SA.
- Migration explained some, but not all, of the increased prevalence.
Conclusions:
- Cairns exhibits a significantly higher prevalence of systemic sclerosis.
- Observed clinical differences between Cairns and SA SSc patients warrant further investigation.
- Increased need for rheumatology services in the Cairns region is highlighted.
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