A nationwide survey on epidemiological characteristics of childhood Henoch-Schönlein purpura in Taiwan
Journal
Rheumatology
Journal Volume
44
Journal Issue
5
Pages
618-622
Date Issued
2005
Author(s)
Abstract
Objective. To evaluate the annual incidence and other epidemiological characteristics of Henoch-Sch?nlein purpura (HSP) among children in Taiwan. Methods. The records of patients were derived from the research database of the Bureau of National Health Insurance, Taiwan, Republic of China, from January 1999 to December 2002. Children younger than 17 yr of age with the diagnosis of HSP were included into this study. Data for each patient including sex, age, date of onset and length of hospitalization were recorded and analysed. Results. A total of 2759 cases were included with an annual incidence of 12.9 (11.8-13.4) per 100000 children <17yr of age. The occurrence of HSP had a peak at the age of 5 to 6 yr. In this study, 1118 (40.5%) patients had been hospitalized at some stage. There were 1454 males and 1305 females, for a male to female ratio of 1.11. Males had a higher annual incidence before the age of 10 yr (P = 0.04), and had a lower incidence than females at older ages (P = 0.02). Disease onset was more common in autumn and winter, and no apparent change in seasonal pattern was noted over 4 yr. Conclusions. Insurance claim data provide useful information on the epidemiology of HSP in Taiwan. Childhood HSP in Taiwan, with an incidence of 12.9 per 100000 children, occurs commonly in autumn and winter; and at the age of 5 to 6 yr. The characteristics presented in this study may provide valuable data for understanding and further studies of HSP. ? The Author 2005. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the British Society for Rheumatology. All rights reserved.
SDGs
Other Subjects
adolescent; age; age distribution; anaphylactoid purpura; article; autumn; child; child hospitalization; data base; epidemiological data; female; human; incidence; length of stay; major clinical study; male; medical record; national health insurance; onset age; priority journal; seasonal variation; sex; sex ratio; Taiwan; winter; clinical trial; factual database; health survey; hospitalization; infant; multicenter study; newborn; preschool child; public health; season; statistics; Taiwan; Adolescent; Age Distribution; Child; Child, Preschool; Databases, Factual; Female; Health Surveys; Hospitalization; Humans; Incidence; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Male; National Health Programs; Purpura, Schoenlein-Henoch; Seasons; Sex Distribution; Taiwan
Type
journal article