The epidemiology of rheumatoid arthritis in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo--a population-based study

Objective. To determine the prevalence of RA and its distribution among linguistic groups in the urban area of Kinshasa.Methods. Investigators questioned all individuals living in randomly chosen streets in five randomly chosen health areas in Kinshasa. Age, sex, linguistic group and rheumatic complaints were noted. RA diagnosis by 1987 ACR classification criteria was checked in all suspect cases. Disease activity (DAS-28), functionality (HAQ), X-ray damage, ACPA and RF positivity were assessed in patients confirmed with RA.Results. A total of 5000 individuals were questioned, with 2700 females and 2300 males [average age 25.7 (1.8) years]. Linguistic group definitions were obtained in 4587 subjects: 44.3% had Kongo roots, 16.9% Ngala, 16.7% Luba, 11% Swahili, 3.6% Tetela and 7.6% miscellaneous. Thirty persons (age ± 53 years) fulfilled the ACR criteria with a female/male sex ratio of 5. Mean age at disease onset was 47.7 years. Kongo people had the highest RA prevalence (1%). Mean DAS-28 was 6.5, mean HAQ was 1.3. One-third of patients were RF and ACPA positive and had classical X-ray findings.Conclusion. The prevalence of RA in Kinshasa is 0.6 and 0.9% in people aged >18 years. Disease activity was high, but RF and ACPA positivity was not frequent. The Kongo seems to be the most affected linguistic group.status: publishe

The epidemiology of rheumatic disorders in a rural area of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC): A COPCORD study

Objective: To determine the prevalence of rheumatic diseases in a rural area of DR Congo.Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed in six randomly chosen villages of the health division of Gombe- Matadi, in Kongo-Central province (near Kinshasa), from 15th October to 15th November 2012. Investigators questioned all individuals living in these villages, using the COPCORD Core questionnaire (CCQ). Age, sex and rheumatic complaints were noted. X-rays, and laboratory tests (C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, blood cells count, uric acid and some serological assays) were performed.Results: In total, 1500 individuals were questioned. Rheumatic complaints were reported by 743 individuals (49.5%), of whom 424 women and 319 men (sex ratio H/F 0.8). Their average age was 48.8±15.4 years. The encountered diseases were: osteoarthritis in 552 patients (prevalence of 36.8%), spondylarthropathies in 57 patients (prevalence of 3.8%), soft tissue rheumatism in 78 patients (5.2%), rheumatoid arthritis in 21 patients (1.4%), juvenile arthritis in 19 patients (1.26%), infectious arthritis in 11 patients (0.73%), rheumatic fever in 9 patients (0.6%) and gout in 1 patient (0.06%).Conclusions: All types of rheumatic diseases can be found in rural areas and some of them like SpA, RA were found with very high frequencies. Also, clinical and demographic differences were observed compared to literature data.Key words: Rheumatic diseases, Rural area, DR Cong