Examining Systemic Sclerosis with Interstitial Lung Disease (SSc-ILD) in Canada’s largest province: An estimate of the prevalence and incidence of SSc and SSc-ILD in Ontario

Summary

Client: Boehringer Ingelheim (Canada) Ltd.
Project IDs: P2018-037 / 2019 0970 147 000 and P2019-059 / 2020 0970 147 001

Research Question/Objectives: Systemic Sclerosis (SSc) is a relatively uncommon condition characterized by autoimmunity, vasculopathy and fibrosis and is clinically manifested by multi-organ involvement. Diagnosis of SSc can be difficult due to its clinical heterogeneity and variety of organ manifestations. Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a frequent complication of the disease that is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. There is no gold standard definition of ILD in the presence of SSc. The objective of the current research project is to develop longitudinal population based estimates of the prevalence, incidence and survival of SSc and SSc-ILD using administrative data in Ontario from sources such as DAD and NACRS using ICD 10 CA codes. To broaden the potential definition of SSc and SSc-ILD, we will also examine OHIP billing records to test an exploratory algorithm to define SSc and SSc-ILD in the community setting. If feasible, we may look to combine the community definition and hospital/ambulatory care definitions to estimate prevalence and incidence of SSc and SSc-ILD. The project team is interested in looking at data over a 10 year period to allow for long-term survival estimates to be generated as well.

Research objectives:

Describe the prevalence and incidence of SSc and SSc-ILD in Ontario.
Describe the prevalence and incidence of SSc and SSc-ILD in Ontario by age groups and gender.
Describe the survival of patients with SSc and SSc-ILD in Ontario.
Identify the demographic profile of patients with SSc and SSc-ILD in Ontario.

Results:

Phase One

Phase Two