Epidemiology ofadult Still's disease: estimate of theincidence byaretrospective study inwest France

Objectives-To estimate theincidence of adultStill's disease (ASD)andtospecify, ifpossible, associated factors. Methods-Aretrospective studyofthe populations oftheBrittany and Loire regions inwestFrancewasmade from 1January1982to31December1991.All internal medicineand rheumatology practitioners oftheseregions wereconsulted. Results-Sixty-two (62)caseswere reported(93% response). The disease incidence calculated overfiveyearswas 0-16per100000inhabitants inthestudy population. Therewas no sexbias(sex ratio1-06inASD v 1-05intheoverall population. The mean ageofthestudy population was36years, withtwopeaksof distribution at15-25and36-45years. A history ofallergy waspresent in23% of patients (n=14).Intwopatients, itwas possible tocorrelate an environmental allergen toexacerbation ofASD. Conclusion-The yearly incidence ofASD wasestimated tobe0-16per100000inhabitants. However, itwasnotpossible to incriminate any infectious, toxic, or genetic factors inexacerbation ofthe disease.