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FRI0428 Epidemiology of Ankylosing Spondylitis in Taiwan: A Nationwide Population Study

Background Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory rheumatic disease and there are few nationwide estimates for prevalence and incidence in Taiwan. Objectives The aim of this study was to determine trends in the incidence and prevalence of AS between 2005 and 2010 among general population of Taiwan. Methods The National Health Insurance Research Database was used to identify gout patients and to estimate the prevalence and incidence of AS for each year from 2005 to 2010. To determine the trends in prevalence, incidence and management of AS, we calculated age- and sex-standardised prevalence and incidence of gout in each calendar year from 2005 to 2010 with the population structure in year 2010 as the reference. Results A total of 54,857 cases with an AS diagnosis alive in December 2010 was identified. Men had a higher prevalence (0.28% versus 0.19%) and incidence (0.51 versus 0.33 per 1,000 person-year) of AS than women. The standardised prevalence of AS had decreased from 0.30% in 2005 to 0.24% in 2010. The incidence of AS is between 0.42 and 0.50 per 1,000 person-years during 2005 and 2010. The incidence of AS in men was low in individuals younger than 19 years of age, peaked rapidly in the ages 20 to 24 years and decreased gradually. The incidence and prevalence of regions in 2010 highest in the town of Tainan (0.6% and 1.79 per 1,000 person-years) and Ilan (1.17% and 1.52 per 1,000 person-years) than other regions. Conclusions AS is a common rheumatic disease in Taiwan with a similar prevalence to rheumatoid arthritis. Disclosure of Interest None declared