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Ann Rheum Dis 2009;68:961-965 doi:10.1136/ard.2008.091710
  • Clinical and epidemiological research

Systemic sclerosis and its pulmonary complications in The Netherlands: an epidemiological study

  1. M C Vonk1,
  2. B Broers2,
  3. Y F Heijdra3,
  4. E Ton4,
  5. R Snijder5,
  6. A P J van Dijk3,
  7. J M van Laar6,
  8. H Bootsma7,
  9. P Th W van Hal8,
  10. F H J van den Hoogen1,
  11. P L A van Daele9
  1. 1
    Department of Rheumatology, Cardiology of the Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
  2. 2
    Department of Cardiology, Academic Hospital Maastricht, Maastricht, The Netherlands
  3. 3
    Heart–Lung Centre, Pulmonary Diseases, Cardiology of the Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
  4. 4
    Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
  5. 5
    Department of Pulmonary Diseases, Antonius Hospital Nieuwegein, Nieuwegein, The Netherlands
  6. 6
    Department of Rheumatology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
  7. 7
    Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University Medical Centre Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
  8. 8
    Department of Respiratory Medicine, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
  9. 9
    Department of Immunology and Internal Medicine, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
  1. Dr M C Vonk, Department of Rheumatology, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, PO Box 9101, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands; M.Vonk{at}reuma.umcn.nl
  • Accepted 22 May 2008
  • Published Online First 29 May 2008

Abstract

The prevalence and incidence of systemic sclerosis (SSc) in The Netherlands is unknown. The same holds true for its leading causes of death: pulmonary fibrosis and pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), for which effective treatment options have recently become available.

Objective: To establish the prevalence and incidence of SSc and its pulmonary complications.

Methods: Detailed information on patients in the POEMAS registry, “Pulmonary Hypertension Screening, a Multidisciplinary Approach in Scleroderma”, consisting of 819 patients, was combined with a nationwide questionnaire.

Results: By combining the two sources the prevalence of SSc was found to be 8.9 per 100 000 adults. The incidence was 0.77 patients per 100 000 per year. PAH was diagnosed in 9.9% of SSc patients. The prevalence of interstitial lung disease in SSc varied from 19% to 47% depending on the definition used.

Conclusion: This study clarifies the epidemiology of SSc in The Netherlands and confirms the frequent occurrence of pulmonary complications, based on 654 cases. This can and will be studied further in the ongoing POEMAS study.

Footnotes

  • Competing interests: None declared.

  • Funding: The POEMAS study is supported by unrestricted educational grants from: Actelion Pharmaceutical Nederland, Calea Nederland, Encysive Pharmaceuticals Inc, GlaxoSmithKline Nederland, Pfizer Nederland, Tefa Portanje and the Dutch patients association for pulmonary hypertension PHA-NL.

  • Contributors: MCV and PLAvD had full access to all the data in the study and take responsibility for the integrity of the data and the accuracy of the data analysis.

  • Ethics approval: Ethics approval was obtained.

This Article

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    1. ard.2008.091710v1
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