Kawasaki disease is more prevalent in rural areas of Catalonia (Spain)

• Published in: Anales de pediatría (Barcelona, Spain : 2003) Spain : 2003), 2017-10, Vol.87 (4), p.226-231
• Main Authors: Sánchez-Manubens, Judith, Antón, Jordi, Bou, Rosa, Iglesias, Estibaliz, Calzada-Hernandez, Joan, Rodó, Xavier, Morguí, Josep-Antón
• Format: Article
• Language: Spanish
• Subjects: Child, Preschool; Female; Humans; Male; Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome - epidemiology; Prevalence; Rural Health; Spain - epidemiology
• ISSN: 1695-9531
• DOI: 10.1016/j.anpedi.2016.12.009

Kawasaki disease (KD) is an acute self-limited systemic vasculitis relatively common in childhood. The etiology of KD is still unknown, although clinical, laboratory and epidemiological features suggest an infectious origin or trigger. Differences on incidence between countries have been related to specific genetic factors, ethnicity, country of birth and some other sociocultural and environmental factors. We present a population-based study on incidence of KD in Catalonia (Spain), focusing on differences between patients in rural and non-rural areas of the region. Observational population-based study including all Pediatric Units in Catalan hospitals, between 2004 and 2014. A 12-month (March 2013-March 2014) prospective collection of new cases of KD was carried out to determine the incidence of KD. The rest of the data was retrieved retrospectively. Data from 399 patients over the 10-year study period was analyzed. Among the total KD patients, 353 (88.5%) lived in non-rural areas and 46 (11.5%) in rural areas. It was found that there is a significant difference (P