100 research outputs found
Prevalence and management of rheumatoid arthritis in the general population of Greece - the ESORDIG study
Objective. To assess the prevalence and management of rheumatoid
arthritis (RA) in the general adult population of Greece.
Methods. This cross-sectional study was conducted on the total adult
population (>= 19 yrs old) of seven communities (8547 subjects), and on
2100 out of 5686 randomly selected subjects in two additional
communities. The study, based on a standardized questionnaire and
clinical evaluation and laboratory investigation when necessary, was
carried out by rheumatologists who visited the target population at
their homes. Diagnosis of RA was based on the American College of
Rheumatology (ACR) 1987 criteria.
Results. A total of 8740 subjects participated (response rate 82.1%).
RA was diagnosed in 59 individuals. The prevalence of RA was 0.68%
(95% CI 0.51-0.85); it was significantly higher in females than males
(P < 0.0005), and increased significantly with age up to and including
the 50-59-yr-old group (P < 0.002), and then decreased slightly. On
their first medical visit, 19% (95% CI 9.7-30.9) of the RA patients
had consulted a rheumatologist, while during the first year after
disease onset, 61% (95% CI 48.6-73.4) had done so. Early consultation
with a rheumatologist and disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD)
combination therapy were negatively associated with ACR functional
classes II-IV [adjusted odds ratios 0.18 (95% CI 0.04-0.85) and 0.17
(95% CI 0.04-0.72), respectively].
Conclusions. The prevalence of RA in the general adult population of
Greece is similar to that in many other European countries; early
consultation with a rheumatologist and DMARD combination therapy are
associated with a better RA outcome
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