The prevalence and incidence of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) in selected cities from three Commonwealth of Independent States countries (the Russian Federation, Ukraine and Kazakhstan)

We assessed the prevalence and incidence of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) in 2010 in adults from four cities in Russia, Kazakhstan and Ukraine. Individuals with SLE were identified retrospectively from the medical records of specialized centers. Prevalent SLE patients were nondeceased city residents, diagnosed prior to December 31, 2010; incident patients were residents newly diagnosed between January 1 and December 31, 2010. Population size was obtained from official census data. The observed prevalence rates (per 100,000, 95% CI) were 9.0 (7.1–11.2) in Kursk and Yaroslavl, Russian Federation; 20.6 (15.4–27.0) in Semey, Kazakhstan; and 14.9 (10.9–19.9) in Vinnitsa, Ukraine. The cumulative incidence rates (per 100,000, 95% CI) were 1.4 (0.7–2.4); 1.6 (0.4–4.1) and 0.3 (0.0–1.8), correspondingly. All rates were higher among females compared to males, and incidence peaked in the population aged 25–44. These rates appear slightly lower than those reported from Western Europe and the USA. This could be because of study design (case-ascertainment), local health care practices or true differences in disease risk. Case age and sex distribution was similar to the known epidemiology of SLE. The rates were highest in Kazakhstan, likely because of a predominantly ethnic Asian population.