Leveraging Primary Care Patient Data to Investigate the Epidemiology of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus in Italy
Speaker(s)
Ferrara P1, Antonazzo IC2, Zamparini M1, Fornari C1, Borrelli C3, Boarino S4, Palladino P5, Zanzottera-Ferrari E6, Emmi G7, Mantovani LG8, Mazzaglia G8
1University of Milan-Bicocca, Monza, MB, Italy, 2University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, MB, Italy, 3AstraZeneca, Milan, Milan, Italy, 4AstraZeneca, Milan, MI, Italy, 5Cegedim Health Data, Milano, MI, Italy, 6Cegedim Health Data, Milan, Milan, Italy, 7University of Florence, Florence, Florence, Italy, 8University of Milan Bicocca, Monza, MB, Italy
Presentation Documents
OBJECTIVES: The significance of primary care databases (PCDs) is growing in informing epidemiological studies and healthcare planning models. In this study, we utilized the Health Improvement Network (THIN®) database to explore the epidemiology of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in Italy and to gain insights into the demographic and clinical characteristics of newly diagnosed SLE patients.
METHODS: THIN® is a large standardized European network of fully anonymized longitudinal PCDs. Its Italian subset gathers routine data from approximately 1 million active individuals registered with participating general practitioners. SLE cases were identified between 2017 and 2022, employing three alternative definitions to ensure a comprehensive grasp of SLE epidemiology. Regression models were employed to investigate the association between demographic and clinical characteristics and SLE diagnosis.
RESULTS: Under the main definition, we identified 191 incident cases and 1385 prevalent cases over the study period. In 2022, the incidence rate was 6.5 cases per 100,000 person-years (95%CI 6.3–6.7), with a prevalence of 60.6 per 100,000 people (95%CI 59.9–61.3), higher in women compared to men, exhibiting a fivefold difference. Estimates have shown an upward trend since 2017, and geographic variability was observed across the country. Additionally, potential associations between SLE incidence and certain pre-existing conditions such as chronic kidney disease, chronic hepatic disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and Sjogren’s syndrome were noted.
CONCLUSIONS: This research marks the first comprehensive examination of SLE in Italy, showcasing an escalating trend in disease incidence in recent years. This marks the inaugural comprehensive examination of SLE in Italy, showcasing an escalating trend in disease incidence in recent years. Factors such as age, sex, and geographical location seem to shape SLE epidemiology. Through the lens of SLE, this study emphasizes the need to prioritize the utilization of PCD in analysing estimates, which can be leveraged to inform future healthcare planning.
Code
EPH107
Topic
Epidemiology & Public Health
Topic Subcategory
Disease Classification & Coding, Public Health
Disease
Systemic Disorders/Conditions (Anesthesia, Auto-Immune Disorders (n.e.c.), Hematological Disorders (non-oncologic), Pain)