Prevalence of axial spondyloarthritis in Colombia: data from the National Health Registry 2017–2021

• Published in: Clinical rheumatology Vol. 43; no. 1; pp. 49 - 57
• Main Authors: Barahona-Correa, Julián E., Herrera-Leaño, Nancy M., Bernal-Macías, Santiago, Fernández-Ávila, Daniel G.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cham Springer International Publishing 01.01.2024; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Ankylosing spondylitis; Arthritis; Colombia - epidemiology; Cross-Sectional Studies; Demographics; Demography; Epidemiology; Female; Humans; Inflammatory diseases; Male; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Original; Original Article; Prevalence; Registries; Rheumatic diseases; Rheumatology; Sacroiliitis; Sacroiliitis - diagnosis; Spondylarthritis - diagnosis; Spondylitis, Ankylosing - diagnosis; Spondylitis, Ankylosing - epidemiology; Colombia; Axial spondyloarthritis; Registries; Epidemiology; Spondyloarthritis; Latin America
• ISSN: 0770-3198; 1434-9949
• DOI: 10.1007/s10067-023-06799-y

Introduction Registries allow ascertaining the epidemiology of chronic diseases such as axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA). The Colombian Ministry of Health has implemented a National Health Registry (SISPRO) that collects data from each medical contact in the system, which provides close to universal coverage (around 98%). Objective To establish the 5-year prevalence of axSpA in Colombia, and to describe its demographics, using data from January 1st, 2017, to December 31st, 2021. Methods We performed an observational, cross-sectional study using the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems as search terms related to ax-SpA, based on SISPRO data. We estimated the prevalence using three approaches: (1) ankylosing spondylitis (AS) diagnoses; (2) diagnoses compatible with axSpA; and (3) diagnoses compatible with axSpA, including sacroiliitis. We calculated prevalence per 100,000 inhabitants. Results Based on our three approaches, patients with a primary diagnosis compatible with ax-SpA ranged between 12,684 and 117,648, with an estimated 5-year adjusted prevalence between 26.3 and 244 cases per 100,000 inhabitants (0.03–0.2%). The male-to-female ratio ranged between 1.2:1 and 0.4:1, which was markedly skewed towards a higher prevalence in women when we included the code for sacroiliitis. We found the highest frequency of cases in the 50–54 years group. A differential prevalence was observed between different regions in our country, particularly in regions known to have European ancestors. Conclusion This is the first study that describes demographic characteristics of ax-SpA in Colombia and offers valuable information for stakeholders. Key Points • Using the official country-level health database, the prevalence of axSpA in Colombia ranges between 26.3 and 244 cases per 100,000 inhabitants (0.03% - 0.2%) • The prevalence of axSpA peaked among the 50-54 years patient group, suggesting an increased survival • Nations with a substantial admixture, such as Colombia, may present a differential prevalence of axSpA among regions within the country • Including the ICD-10 code for sacroiliitis (M46.1) in epidemiological studies probably overestimates the frequency of axSpA