| Mapping Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Psoriatic Arthritis in Greater Toronto Area Using Geographic Information Systems; by Mustafa H. Al-Maini, MD FRCPC. A thesis submitted in conformity with the requirements for the degree of Master's in Health Sciences Graduate Department of Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Toronto 2008.;Using the cumulative number of observed cases of SLE or PSA diagnosed between January 1st 1965 to June 30th 2007 and excluding patients younger than 10 years and older than 69 years, and dividing by the general population age-sex match group; we calculated age-sex-GTA region observed incidence rates. These rates were then used to compute expected incidence rates for each census tract of the general population in the GTA and maps were produced.;This is the first study to use GIS to map SLE and PsA in a defined geographic area. We developed a methodology to compute expected age-sex incidence maps of SLE and PsA in a defined geographic area.;Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) are immune diseases that are influenced genetically and environmentally. We used geographic information systems (GIS), to map SLE and PsA in Greater Toronto Area (GTA). |
