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. 2023 Apr;43(4):659-666.
doi: 10.1007/s00296-022-05268-0. Epub 2023 Jan 11.

Incidence of seropositive rheumatoid arthritis in population-based studies in Northern Savo, Finland, during 1980-2020

Pia Elfving  1   2 , Aulikki Kononoff  1   3   4   5 , Johanna Huhtakangas  1 , Hannu Kautiainen  6   7 , Elina Savolainen  1 , Leena Arstila  3   8 , Julia Barantseva  1 , Tuomas Rannio  3   5 , Helena Niinisalo  1   9   10 , Antti Puolitaival  8   11 , Kati Soininen  1 , Simo Kariniemi  1 , Minni Oksaranta  1 , Oili Kaipiainen-Seppänen  12
Affiliations

Incidence of seropositive rheumatoid arthritis in population-based studies in Northern Savo, Finland, during 1980-2020

Pia Elfving et al. Rheumatol Int. 2023 Apr.

Abstract

The objective is to evaluate the incidence of seropositive rheumatoid arthritis (RA) over 40-year period in Northern Savo, Finland. Data on new seropositive RA patients according to the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) 1987 classification criteria were collected in 2020-2021. In 2020 data on tobacco exposure, patient-reported dental health and living in residences with fluoridated tap water were gathered. Incidence rates were estimated and age- and gender-adjusted to Northern Savo population. The results were compared with data acquired in studies from 1980, 1990, 2000, and 2010. In 2020, 46 seropositive RA patients (21 females and 25 males) were recorded. The crude incidence of seropositive RA fulfilling the ACR 87 criteria in 2020 was 22.3 (95% CI 16.3 to 29.8)/100 000 and age and gender-adjusted 22.3 (95% CI 15.9 to 28.8)/100 000. Tobacco exposure > 5 pack years occurred 18% of females and 56% of males. Only 16% of males were full dentate. A total of 242 incident seropositive RA (age ≥ 16 years, 55% females) were identified in all study years. No differences in the gender-specific incidence rates in each cohort or in incidence between the studies every 10 years were recorded. The incidence of seropositive RA decreased in the age group < 55 years, p = 0.003. There was no change in the incidence of seropositive RA between genders or the study years. A declining trend for occurrence of seropositive RA in the young and early middle-aged population may reflect change in risk factors.

Keywords: Epidemiology; Incidence; Public health; Seropositive rheumatoid arthritis.

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Conflict of interest statement

There are no financial or other relations that could lead to a conflict of interest. The authors report following financial activities outside the submitted work: MO, TR, HK, OKS and JB have reported no financial relationships. PE has received consultation fee from Astra Zeneca, lecture fee from Abbvie and reimbursement of congress costs from Mylan and Abbvie. AK has received lecture fees from Abbvie. JH has received consultation fee from Abbvie, Amgen, Boehringer Ingelheim and Novartis, lecture fees from Boehringer Ingelheim and reimbursement of congress costs from Abbvie, Medac, Novartis and Pfizer. ES has received reimbursement of congress costs from Abbvie, Novartis, Pfizer, UCB, Janssen and MSD. LA has received reimbursement of congress costs from Orion. HN has received reimbursement of congress costs from Celltrion. AP has received consultation fee from MSD, lecture fees from MSD, Novartis, UCB, Pfizer, Eli Lilly, Amgen, Boehringer Ingelheim, Abbvie, Novo Nordisk, Celgene and reimbursement of congress costs from Janssen. KS has received consultation fee from Abbvie and reimbursement of congress costs from Abbvie, Novartis and Pfizer. SK has received reimbursement of congress costs from Abbvie, UCB and Medac.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Age-adjusted incidence rates of seropositive rheumatoid arthritis according to the ACR 87 criteria among women and men in Northern Savo in 1980, 1990, 2000, 2010 and 2020
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Age-adjusted incidence rate ratios (men per women) of seropositive rheumatoid arthritis according to the ACR 87 criteria in Northern Savo in 1980, 1990, 2000, 2010 and 2020
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Age-specific incidence of seropositive rheumatoid arthritis according to the ACR 87 criteria in the age groups under and over 55 years in Northern Savo in 1980, 1990, 2000, 2010 and 2020. In the age group < 55 years p for linearity is 0.003
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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