Sjogren’s, Scleroderma and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) are conditions that occur when the immune system gets confused and targets healthy tissues such as connective tissues leading to inflammation and damage. Raynaud’s can be associated with these conditions as it may co-exist with them.

Background

These conditions primarily affects the female population, especially women of childbearing age. They are often characterised by chronic inflammation and immune system dysregulation. Symptoms of these conditions range from joint pain, fatigue, skin changes, and organ involvement. Scleroderma is characterised by the hardening and tightening of the skin and connective tissues and can affect internal organs. SLE involves inflammation and damage to various body systems, including the joints, skin, kidneys, blood cells, brain, heart, and lungs. Raynaud's phenomenon involves the constriction of small blood vessels in extremities, typically fingers and toes, in response to cold or stress, leading to colour changes, numbness, and pain. Sjögren's syndrome is characterized by dryness of the mouth and eyes due to the immune system attacking the glands that produce saliva and tears. The prevalence, incidence, and mortality of these conditions, especially by age, sex, socio-economic deprivation, ethnicity, and geographical location remains unknown in the UK population.

Aims

The aim of this project is to describe the prevalence, incidence, and mortality of four conditions - Raynaud’s, Sjogren’s, Scleroderma, and SLE in the UK population. The second aim is to investigate the impact of age, sex, socioeconomic deprivation, ethnicity, and geographical location on these four conditions.