Decrease in prevalence of Buerger's disease in Japan

Buerger's disease is a peripheral arterial occlusive disease that is becoming rare in Western countries but is more common in Asia. Whether it is a specific disease entity remains controversial. This study was undertaken to investigate changes in the prevalence and characteristics of Buerger's disease at a major institution in Japan.

Patients with Buerger's disease admitted to Nagoya University Hospital between January 1985 and December 1996 were studied retrospectively. Buerger's disease was diagnosed on admission according to Shionoya's clinical criteria.

A total of 105 patients with Buerger's disease were evaluated on 126 admissions; 58 were new patients who were admitted for initial treatment, and 47 patients were experiencing a worsening of Buerger's disease and had a history of prior treatment. Forty-six new patients were admitted between 1985 and 1989, but only 12 new patients were admitted between 1990 and 1996 (9 +/ 3/ yr vs 2+/ 2/ yr, p = 0.0003). Between 1985 and 1989, 44 patients were admitted because of disease exacerbation, whereas only 24 such admissions occurred between 1990 and 1996 (9+/ 3/ yr vs 3 +/ yr, p = 0.0137). The number of admissions for atherosclerotic peripheral vascular disease did not change significantly in that period. Of the 105 patients, the majority (96%) were men; mean age at the time of disease onset was 36 +/ 8 years. The chief complaint on admission was gangrene/ulcer in 64%, rest pain in 13%, foot claudication in 6%, calf claudication in 6%, and other in 10%.

The prevalence of Buerger's disease appears to be decreasing at our institution in Japan. Its clinical characteristics have not changed. A similar decrease in prevalence appears to have occurred in Western countries.