title: ["State of the art" in epidemiology of arthroses. An overview of important studies of etiology and sequelae].
abstract: The term "Osteoarthrosis" encompasses a group of joint disorders characterized by pain and restriction of mobility. Currently, considerable confusion prevails with respect to the definition of the disease entity and the classification criteria to be utilized in epidemiologic research. Despite these methodological difficulties, it is discernible from the international rheumatology journals that during the past decade this emerging field of research has become firmly established in several European countries and in North America. Researchers have focused their attention on four major facets of the disease: 1. etiological or risk factors with respect to the initiation and clinical course of disease, 2. the impact of illness on the individual and his family, 3. the statistical estimation of incidence and prevalence rates in the total population or in selected at-risk groups of individuals, 4. health care utilization patterns and their costs and benefits. This survey article aims at providing a critical overview of this emerging field of research, as well as at suggesting to the reader future lines of development useful for public health and health promotion researchers in Germany.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015984:Causality; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis / Q000639:trends; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000191:economics / Q000639:trends; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand / Q000191:economics / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000191:economics / Q000639:trends
vernacular_title: "State of the Art" in der Arthrosenepidemiologie. Ein Uberblick über wichtige Studien zur Atiologie und zu den Krankheitsfolgen.