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Meta-Analysis
. 2021 Nov 3;60(11):4982-4990.
doi: 10.1093/rheumatology/keab406.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of the incidence rate of Takayasu arteritis

Megan Rutter  1   2 , Jonathan Bowley  1 , Peter C Lanyon  1   2 , Matthew J Grainge  1 , Fiona A Pearce  1   2
Affiliations
Meta-Analysis

A systematic review and meta-analysis of the incidence rate of Takayasu arteritis

Megan Rutter et al. Rheumatology (Oxford). .

Abstract

Objectives: Takayasu arteritis (TAK) is a rare autoimmune rheumatic disease causing large-vessel vasculitis. Onset is typically between the ages of 20 and 30 years. It is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality, notably due to its effects on the cardiovascular system. It has a poorly understood global epidemiology. Our objective was to systematically review the available evidence in order to calculate the incidence rate of TAK.

Methods: Three databases (MEDLINE, PubMed and Embase) were searched in November 2019 and the results were screened by two reviewers. A random effects meta-analysis was then conducted in R to calculate the overall incidence rate. Heterogeneity was assessed using I2. The quality of the studies was assessed using an adapted Newcastle-Ottawa scale. Further subgroup analyses were performed by quality, sex, research setting and geographical location. Publication bias was assessed using a Begg's funnel plot.

Results: The incidence rate for TAK was 1.11 per million person-years (95% CI 0.70-1.76). The heterogeneity in the data was extremely high in all analyses, which suggests that there was considerable variation in incidence rates across the different populations studied. TAK was found to be more common in women (incidence rate 2.01 per million person-years, 95% CI 1.39-2.90).

Conclusions: TAK is an extremely rare disease. It affects women more commonly than men. There is considerable variation in the incidence rate between populations. We suggest that future research should focus on discrete populations in order to better identify genetic and environmental risk factors.

Keywords: Takayasu arteritis; epidemiology; meta-analysis; vasculitis.

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Figures

<sc>Fig</sc>. 1
Fig. 1
Forest plot showing incidence rate of Takayasu’s arteritis expressed per million person-years, with 95% CI
<sc>Fig</sc>. 2
Fig. 2
Forest plot of the subgroup analysis by sex, with incidence of Takayasu’s arteritis expressed per million person-years, with 95% CI
<sc>Fig</sc>. 3
Fig. 3
Subgroup analyses based on quality, with incidence of Takayasu’s arteritis expressed per million person-years, with 95% CI
<sc>Fig</sc>. 4
Fig. 4
Forest plot of the subgroup analysis based on setting, with incidence of Takayasu’s arteritis expressed per million person-years, with 95% CI
<sc>Fig</sc>. 5
Fig. 5
Subgroup analyses of studies based on geographical location, with incidence of Takayasu’s arteritis expressed per million person-years, with 95% CI
<sc>Fig</sc>. 6
Fig. 6
Begg’s funnel plot of the studies investigating the incidence of Takayasu’s arteritis included in the meta-analysis
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Kerr GS, Hallahan CW, Giordano J. et al. Takayasu arteritis. Ann Intern Med 1994;120:919–29. - PubMed
    1. Maksimowicz-McKinnon K, Clark TM, Hoffman GS.. Limitations of therapy and a guarded prognosis in an American cohort of Takayasu arteritis patients. Arthritis Rheum 2007;56:1000–9. - PubMed
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Studies included in meta-analysis

    1. Dreyer L, Faurschou M, Baslund B.. A population-based study of Takayasu’s arteritis in eastern Denmark. Clin Exp Rheumatol 2011;2011:29(1 Suppl 64):S40–2. - PubMed
    1. Gudbrandsson B, Molberg O, Garen T, Palm O.. Prevalence, incidence, and disease characteristics of Takayasu arteritis by ethnic background: data from a large, population-based cohort resident in southern Norway. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken) 2017;69:278–85. - PubMed
    1. Kanecki K, Nitsch-Osuch A, Tyszko PZ. et al. Takayasu’s arteritis: a rare disease in Poland. Ann Agric Environ Med 2018;25:469–72. - PubMed
    1. Park SJ, Kim HJ, Park H. et al. Incidence, prevalence, mortality and causes of death in Takayasu Arteritis in Korea - A nationwide, population-based study. Int J Cardiol 2017;235:100–4. - PubMed
    1. Watts R, Al-Taiar A, Mooney J, Scott D, Macgregor A.. The epidemiology of Takayasu arteritis in the UK. Rheumatology (Oxford) 2009;48:1008–11. 2009 - PubMed

Publication types

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