Epidemiology

SLE presents a significant disease burden worldwide. The incidence and prevalence of SLE are affected by gender, race, and ethnicity.[6][7] Methods applied to study the epidemiology of SLE have limitations. Studies have primarily focused on white populations and most have been conducted in small, well-defined geographical areas. 

The highest reported incidence of SLE is in North America (23.2 per 100,000 person-years), and the lowest reported incidences are in Africa and the Ukraine (0.3 per 100,000 person-years).[6] In the UK, the incidence of SLE has been estimated to be 4.91 per 100,000 person-years.[8] 

Incidence is higher in women than in men; reported sex ratios range from 2:1 to 15:1.[8][9][10] Peak age of onset ranges from 30 to 70 years in women and between 50 and 70 years in men.[6][8]

The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention National Lupus Registries estimated the prevalence of SLE in the US at 72.8 per 100,000 person-years.[11] The prevalence estimate was nine times higher among women than among men (128.7 per 100,000 versus 14.6 per 100,000, respectively). Prevalence was highest among African Americans (230.9 per 100,000 and 26.7 per 100,000 for women and for men, respectively), followed by Hispanics (120.7 per 100,000 and 18.0 per 100,000, respectively), and lowest in white populations (84.7 per 100,000 and 8.9 per 100,000, respectively).[11] Global epidemiological data appear to confirm differences reported between ethnic groups in the US. [6]

Evidence suggests that prevalence of SLE in the UK is increasing.[6][8]

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