Global and regional epidemiology of psoriatic arthritis in general population: A comprehensive systematic analysis and modelling study.

BACKGROUND

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is an inflammatory arthritis associated with psoriasis, which is refractory and recurrent, affecting patients' lives and work seriously. Therefore, measuring the frequency of disease in general population and obtaining PsA epidemiology data is of great significance for health care policies.

OBJECTIVES

To provide a comprehensive analysis and modelling of the global epidemiology of PsA in general population.

METHODS

We reviewed and analyzed studies investigating PsA epidemiology over the past 34 years. A Bayesian hierarchical linear mixed model was developed to provide comprehensive epidemiologic estimates in different countries and regions.

RESULTS

According to the 75 studies we systematically reviewed, the incidence of PsA in general population varies from 0.061 per 100,000 person-years in Japan to 41.300 per 100,000 person-years in Norway and the prevalence of PsA in general population varies from 0.000% in Lebanon to 0.420% in Italy. Through the Bayesian mixed linear model we developed, the global incidence is estimated to be 11.742 (0.070, 71.694) per 100,000 person-years and the global prevalence of PsA in general population is estimated to be 0.135% (0.001%, 0.732%).

CONCLUSIONS

This study summarizes the global epidemiology of PsA in different countries and regions, providing useful information for specialties in areas lacking relevant data and is also of great significance for the health care policies to distribute the medical resources well.