Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis in Denmark--a Nationwide Investigation

Overview

Journal PLoS One

Specialties General Medicine
Science

Date 2013 Dec 19

PMID 24349178

Citations 5

Authors

Tina R Elmholdt

Anne B B Olesen

Bettina Jorgensen

Stinne Kvist

Lone Skov

Henrik S Thomsen

Peter Marckmann

Michael Pedersen

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: Nephrogenic systemic fibrosis is a debilitating and painful disorder with an increased stimulation of the connective tissue in the skin and systemic tissues. The disease is associated with exposure to gadolinium-based contrast agent used in magnetic resonance imaging in patients with renal impairment.

Methods: The prevalence of nephrogenic systemic fibrosis has so far never been determined at a national level. In 2009, Denmark was the first country to design a guideline for the tracing of nephrogenic systemic fibrosis patients. The aim of this paper is to communicate the main findings of this quest.

Results: The outcome of the nationwide investigation revealed that Denmark had 65 patients with nephrogenic systemic fibrosis and thereby the highest prevalence of nephrogenic systemic fibrosis worldwide with 65 per 5.6 million inhabitants, or 12 per million.

Conclusions: The nationwide investigation in Denmark revealed the highest prevalence of NSF worldwide. This may be rooted in a high level of awareness of NSF both among doctors, politicians and, not least, the media, combined with the fact that a nationwide NSF investigation was initiated.

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