Spondyloarthropathies in circumpolar populations of Chukotka (Eskimos and Chukchi): epidemiology and clinical characteristics.
OBJECTIVE
We sought to determine the prevalence of HLA-B27 and the prevalence and nature of spondyloarthropathies in the native residents of Eastern Chukotka, Siberia, Russia.


METHODS
We conducted a cross sectional study with medical examination and interview of 464 of 640 (72.5%) native residents of 2 Eastern Chukotka settlements, Sireniki and Novo-Chaplino.


RESULTS
Among them were 212 Eskimos, 98 Chukchi and 154 subjects of mixed race. There were 2 subjects (0.4%) with ankylosing spondylitis, 2 with Reiter's syndrome, 2 with undifferentiated spondyloarthropathy and 1 with late onset pauciarticular juvenile arthritis consistent with spondyloarthropathy. Four of the subjects were Eskimos, 2 were of mixed race, and 1 was Chukchi. We found a high percentage of HLA-B27 antigen in the population, 32% in the native population overall, and 40% among the Eskimos.


CONCLUSIONS
Our data complement other studies of circumpolar populations and reinforce the reported high prevalence of spondyloarthropathy and HLA-B27 among those people.
Erdesz
S
S
Department of Epidemiology and Genetics of Rheumatic Diseases, Institute of Rheumatology Russian Academy of Medical Sciences (RAMS), Moscow.
Shubin
S V
SV
Shoch
B P
BP
Krylov MYu
Mylov
N M
NM
Chekalina
N A
NA
Benevolenskaya
L I
LI
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D015796:HLA-B27 Antigen / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D004930:Inuit; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D044468:Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander; D015995:Prevalence; D044469:Racial Groups; D012800:Siberia / Q000208:ethnology; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000503:physiopathology
D015796:HLA-B27 Antigen