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.