Epidemiological Patterns and Clinical Impact of Vasculitis in China: An Insight from the FUTURE Database

Abstract Background Vasculitis presents significant health challenges due to its complex clinical manifestations and the variability in its prevalence and severity across different regions and demographics. Understanding these patterns is crucial for developing targeted medical interventions and health policies, especially during global health crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic.Methods Using the Futang Updating Medical Regulations (FUTURE) database, we conducted an exhaustive analysis of the prevalence, complications, and healthcare impacts of vasculitis across mainland China from January 2016 to August 2023. The study assessed demographic distributions, regional variations, and the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on disease diagnosis rates.Results The study found that conditions such as Takayasu arteritis (TAK), ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV), and immune complex vasculitis were more prevalent in females, while diseases like polyarteritis nodosa and Behçet's disease (BD) showed a gender-neutral distribution. A significant decrease in vasculitis diagnoses was noted during the pandemic. Geographical analysis indicated a higher incidence of various types of vasculitis in the northern and eastern regions of China. Complications varied, with BD showing significant digestive system involvement and TAK associated with high rates of hypertension and vascular complications. Critical cases required intensive care, highlighting the severity of these conditions.Conclusions The analysis underscores the need for region-specific healthcare strategies and more robust disease monitoring frameworks, particularly in the face of global health emergencies. The financial and clinical burden of vasculitis is considerable, emphasizing the necessity for efficient diagnostic and treatment modalities to manage and mitigate the impacts of this disease group effectively.