engleski

Characteristics of autoimmune diseases in patients from Osijek- Baranja County (Croatia) – a population study

Introduction: The aim of this study was to define characteristics of autoimmune diseases (AID) in population of Osijek – Baranja county (Croatia). Methods: More than 10, 000 medical histories taken at Department of Rheumatology, Clinical Immunology and Allergology at the Clinical Hospital Centre Osijek (KBC Osijek) were analysed and resulted in a data basis of more than 1000 AID patients. Results: The average age of AID patients included in this study was 58 years. Most frequent AID in the studied population was Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), followed by SLE, while the least common AID was vasculitis. All AID are more common in women. Consistent to general prevalence of AID, the most frequent AID in both sexes is RA, followed by SLE, whereas Sjogren's syndrome was the least common in men, and PM/DM and vasculitis in women. Patients in the youngest age group suffer from Systemic sclerosis (SSc), SLE and RA. Autoantibody profile found in patients treated at KBC Osijek is consistent with the data available from scientific literature and other epidemiological studies. Joint pain is present in approximately 50% of patients regardless of disease, while the general fatigue was present in between 15% (SSc) and 54% of patients (vasculitis). The most common complications in our patients are cardiovascular diseases and osteoporosis. All diseases are more frequent in older age groups (55-64 years and > 65 years). Discussion: The highest incidence of complications in higher age groups could be explained by the highest incidence of AID in middle age groups and chronic course of the diseases. Osteoporosis is caused apart of the age and reduced physical activity also by the corticosteroid drugs. Conclusion: Clinical findings on AID population in Osijek – Baranja are consistent to previous reports in other countries ; however, there are also some discrepancies that should be considered when planning AID treatment. This databasis presents a valuable tool for further investigations on AID

Autoimmune diseases; population study; rheumatoid arthritis

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