The prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis in the general population of Spain

Rheumatology (Oxford). 2002 Jan;41(1):88-95. doi: 10.1093/rheumatology/41.1.88.

Abstract

Objective: To estimate the prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in the adult Spanish population and to assess its distribution by basic sociodemographic characteristics.

Methods: Two thousand nine hundred and ninety-eight adults were selected randomly from the censuses of 20 municipalities. Trained rheumatologists administered a structured interview that included a screening questionnaire for RA. Subjects with a positive screening result were examined according to a standardized protocol. Cases were defined by the 1987 American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria adapted to epidemiological surveys.

Results: One hundred and eighty-six persons (8.5%) had a positive screening result for RA and 11 of these fulfilled the ACR criteria for RA. The estimated prevalence was 0.5% (95% confidence interval 0.25-0.85). The ratios of women to men and of urban to rural were both 4:1. Function and health perception of the cases were significantly impaired, even after controlling for age and sex.

Conclusion: The prevalence of RA in Spain is comparable to that in other Mediterranean countries. RA may be less frequent in rural settings, a finding that merits further research. A significant proportion of RA cases in the community remain undiagnosed despite impaired functional status.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Age Distribution
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / administration & dosage
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / diagnosis
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / drug therapy
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / epidemiology*
  • Confidence Intervals
  • Female
  • Gold Compounds / administration & dosage
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Methotrexate / administration & dosage
  • Middle Aged
  • Odds Ratio
  • Population Surveillance
  • Prevalence
  • Probability
  • Prognosis
  • Risk Factors
  • Sampling Studies
  • Sex Distribution
  • Spain / epidemiology

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
  • Gold Compounds
  • Methotrexate