Editorial - Non-Specific Aortoarteritis

Non-specific aortoarteritis (NSAA) also known as Takayasu's arteritis was first described in Japan in the mid 20^th century and has subsequently become a specific established entity, particularly with improved diagnostic facilities, interventional modalities and cardiovascular surgical techniques. Though the disease is prevalent worldwide it is more common in developing Afro- Asian countries and in Japan. The autopsy incidence of this disease at K. E. M. hospital, Mumbai is 15%, with 20-30 new cases being identified every year at this hospital alone. Japan made planned attempts to study this disease and estimated that 50-80 new patients are diagnosed every year, with an autopsy incidence of 33%.