Epidemiology of mastocytosis: a population-based study (Sweden).

BACKGROUND: Mastocytosis is a disease characterized by accumulation of aberrant mast cells and mediator-related symptoms and is divided into systemic mastocytosis (SM) and cutaneous mastocytosis (CM). The epidemiology of mastocytosis remains incompletely understood.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the incidence, prevalence, overall survival (OS) and burden of comorbidities in adult mastocytosis patients identified in Swedish population-based registries.

METHODS: Individuals (≥ 20 years of age) with a mastocytosis diagnosis in the National Patient Register (NPR) and/or the Swedish Cancer Register (SCR) between 2001 and 2018, were identified. In a matched cohort design, for each case five randomly selected mastocytosis-free comparators matched on age, sex, and county of residence were chosen from the Population Register. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to compare OS between individuals with mastocytosis and comparators. Information on concomitant disease at baseline was assessed by use of the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI).

RESULTS: We identified 2,040 adults with a mastocytosis diagnosis yielding an annual incidence of 1.56 per 100,000 (95% CI 1.29-1.87) and a prevalence of 23.9 per 100,000 (95% CI 22.8-25.0). The comorbidity burden was higher, and the OS lower, in patients with mastocytosis compared to comparators.

INTERPRETATION: We found a higher incidence and prevalence of mastocytosis compared to assessments in other settings and confirmed that the prognosis generally is favorable. Of special note was evidence of a higher comorbidity burden in mastocytosis patients compared to the background population.

LIMITATIONS: Underreporting and inconsistencies in the use of diagnostic codes.