Short Report

The incidence of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis in Quebec: a population data-based study

Debbie Ehrmann Feldman¹ , Sasha Bernatsky² and Michelle Houde³

¹  Université de Montréal, Interdisciplinary Research Centre in Rehabilitation, and Public Health Department of Montreal, Pavillon 7077 du Parc, CP 6128, Succ Centre-ville, Montréal, Qc H3C 3J7, Canada

²  McGill University, Montreal, Canada Division of Clinical Epidemiology, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Royal Victoria Hospital, V Building, 687 Pine Avenue West, Montreal, QC H3A 1A1, Canada

³  Public Health Department of Montreal, Agence de la santé et des services sociaux de Montréal, Direction de Santé Publique, 1301 rue Sherbrooke Est, Montréal (Qc) H2L 1M3, Canada

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Pediatric Rheumatology 2009, 7:20doi:10.1186/1546-0096-7-20

Published:	19 November 2009

Abstract

Objective

To determine the population incidence of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) in Quebec.

Methods

We obtained data from Quebec's physician claims database. Incident cases were defined as having a visit for JRA in 2000, no visit in the previous 3 years, a confirmed diagnosis by an arthritis specialist, or having ≥ 2 visits to any physician for JRA, ≥ 2 months apart but within 2 years.

Results

Cumulative incidence of JRA was 17.8/100,000. Mean age at diagnosis was 9.8 ± 4.6 years, 68% were female and more persons were diagnosed in winter. Subjects had a median of 10 medical visits over the first year.

Conclusion

Our population based incidence estimate was similar to others. Children and adolescents with JRA are heavy users of medical care. Additional study of environmental or climate- related triggers may be warranted.