Spondylarthropathic diseases in indigenous circumpolar populations of Russia and Alaska.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the nature and frequency of spondylarthropathy in geographically separated but genetically related populations with a high prevalence of HLA-B27.


METHODS
Using a common questionnaire and disease criteria, cases were ascertained through cross-sectional community surveys in Russia and by examination and study of possible cases identified through rheumatic disease registries and the Native Health Service's computerized patient care data system in Alaska.


RESULTS
Similar overall prevalences of spondyloarthropathy (2.0-3.4%) and a similar spectrum of disease were found, including reactive arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis and undifferentiated spondylarthropathy. Psoriatic arthritis was very rare.


CONCLUSIONS
No predisposition to one particular form of spondyloarthropathy was observed; genetic and microbial settings for a spectrum of disease were present. Among adults positive for the presence of HLA-B27 the prevalence of all types of spondylarthropathies was estimated to be 4.5%, all populations combined, and the prevalence of AS was estimated to be 1.6%.
Benevolenskaya
L I
LI
Department of Epidemiology and Genetics of Rheumatic Diseases, Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, Moscow.
Boyer
G S
GS
Erdesz
S
S
Templin
D W
DW
Alexeeva
L I
LI
Lawrence
R C
RC
Heyse
S P
SP
Krylov
M Y
MY
Mylov
N M
NM
Cornoni-Huntley
J C
JC
Everett
D F
DF
Goring
W P
WP
Bowler
A
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000413:Alaska / Q000453:epidemiology; D016918:Arthritis, Reactive / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000235:genetics; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015796:HLA-B27 Antigen / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D004930:Inuit; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012426:Russia / Q000453:epidemiology; D013167:Spondylitis, Ankylosing / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000235:genetics; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D015796:HLA-B27 Antigen