Prevalence and social impact of rheumatic diseases in Finland.
The prevalence and social impact of rheumatic diseases as established from interview surveys and disability pension statistics have markedly increased in Finland. This is probably due to a change in disease experience and social legislation rather than to an increase in the disability caused by these diseases. The prevalence of disability, rather than that of the disease, would be a preferable basis for monitoring the state of public health.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000453:epidemiology; D001416:Back Pain / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D003240:Connective Tissue Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005387:Finland; D006073:Gout / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000453:epidemiology; D012216:Rheumatic Diseases / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012946:Social Welfare / Q000639:trends