Objectives To evaluate the annual incidence and distribution of autoimmune connective tissue diseases (CTD) and vasculitides in a defined population in the Northern Savo during 2010.

Methods All the units practicing rheumatology in the Northern Savo area participated in the study by collecting data of the new autoimmune connective tissue diseases and vasculitides diagnosed during a 1- year period. The population at risk was 206 000 and the patients were over sixteen years of age.

Results Seventy-two cases with CTD were identified. Of them 78% were females. The annual incidence rates were as follows: Sjögren’s syndrome (SS)10.7, systemic sclerosis (SSc) 4.4, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) 3.9, dermato/polymyositis (DM/PM) 1.9, mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) 1.0 and unspecified collagenosis 13.1/100 000.

The mean age at diagnosis were in the patients with SS 48.9±15.3, SSc 65.1±9.9, SLE 46.2±14.8, DM/PM 68.7±10.4, MCTD 40.4±12.3 and unspecified collagenosis 50.1±14.0 years.

Fifteen cases were classified as a vasculitis and included in 8 giant cell arteritis (GCA), 3 antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) associated vasculitides, 3 small vessel vasculitides and 1 central nervous system (CNS) vasculitis. Females outnumbered males (10:5). The annual incidence rates among vasculitis category were as follows: GCA 3.9 (over 50 years of age), ANCA associated vasculitis 1.5, small vessel vasculitis 1.5 and CNS vasculitis 0.5/100 000. The longest delay from symptom onset to diagnosis performed in the category of systemic sclerosis.

Conclusions The observed incidence rates compared to the earlier studies show that incidences of CTD and vasculitides have stayed unchanged during the time.

Disclosure of Interest None Declared