Epidemiology

Most commonly seen in young men (i.e., ages 20-40 years) of southeast Mediterranean origin and of Middle and Far East origin.[1] In one study, the median age of onset was 36 years (interquartile range 29 to 44 years).[2] The reported prevalence of Buerger disease ranges from 0.5% to 5.6% in Western European countries, 45% to 63% in India, and 16% to 66% in Korea and Japan. It has a higher incidence in the Ashkenazi Jewish population.[3]

A decrease in the prevalence rate of diagnosis of Buerger disease was observed in the US between 1947 and 1986 (104 per 100,000 cases in 1947 to 13 per 100,000 cases in 1986).[4] The decline in morbidity may be associated with better health education, improved awareness of disease etiology, improved imaging modalities, and effectiveness of antibiotics.

Although Buerger disease is more commonly seen in men, approximately 23% of patients diagnosed with Buerger disease are women.[2][5][6] The increased incidence in women may be associated with an increase in smoking.[7] 

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