title: Incidence and prevalence of juvenile chronic arthritis: a population survey.
abstract: In a population based epidemiological survey of juvenile chronic arthritis (JCA), performed in Western Sweden in 1983, an incidence of 12/100,000 was found. The estimated prevalence was 56/100,000. Subgroup distribution showed a preponderance of mono- and pauciarticular forms. The peak age of onset was between 0 and 4 years of age. Girls predominated over boys in a ratio of 3:2. Overall, 30% were antinuclear antibody (ANA) positive, 9% rheumatoid factor (RF) positive, and eye involvement occurred in 10% of the children. The results suggest differences in population based studies of JCA compared with previously reported hospital based series.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D001171:Arthritis, Juvenile / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007500:Iritis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D012737:Sex Factors; D013548:Sweden