Vasculitis & polymyalgia rheumatica
Incidence and prevalence of Behçet’s disease in Oslo, Norway: a two-decade population-based analysis
Authors' conclusion
BD is a rare disease in Oslo, Norway, with female predominance in Norwegian descendants, but higher prevalence overall in non-Norwegians. The observed increases in incidence and prevalence are likely due to changes in population genetics and introduction of the more sensitive ICBD criteria.
Study context
- Population
- Behçet's disease (BD) cases (ICD-10 M35.2) from Oslo hospital administrative databases and NOSVAR meeting International Study Group (ISG) or International Criteria for Behçet's Disease (ICBD) criteria, Oslo, Norway, 1999–202143 incidental
- Participants
- 58 cases
- Exposure
- Non-Norwegian vs Norwegian ancestry; females vs males among Norwegians
- Outcome
- Incidence and prevalence of BD
Methodological detailsretrospective, chart-reviewed, classified by ISG criteria and ICBD
- Retrospective
- Chart-reviewed
- Classified by ISG criteria and ICBD
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Incidence of BD per 100 000 person-years
- Overall incidence per 100 000 person-years
- 0.29 (95% CI 0.18, 0.41)
- Prevalence per 100 000 inhabitants in 1999
- 2.36
- Prevalence per 100 000 inhabitants in 2021
- 7.14
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Prevalence per 100 000 inhabitants by ancestry · 2021
- Incidence per 100 000 person-years among Norwegians, by sex: Females 0.27 per 100 000 person-years
- Incidence per 100 000 person-years among Norwegians, by sex: Males 0.08 per 100 000 person-years
Diagnostic delay
- Median diagnostic delay, years (IQR 2-12)
- 5
Prevalence per 100 000 inhabitants
- Prevalence in 1999
- 2.36
- Prevalence in 2021
- 7.14
Age
- Mean age at symptom onset, years
- 24
- Mean age at diagnosis, years
- 33
Trend in incidence and prevalence
- Appeared to increase, but reclassification by ISG criteria adjusted the trend downward; significantly reduced when accounting for the proportion of non-Norwegians
Original publication
Incidence and prevalence of Behçet’s disease in Oslo, Norway: a two-decade population-based analysis. Rheumatology (Oxford). Published 25 April 2025. doi:10.
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