Magnitude and characteristics of arthritis and other rheumatic conditions on ambulatory medical care visits, United States, 1997.
OBJECTIVE
To describe ambulatory medical care utilization, defined to exclude injury-related visits, for persons with arthritis and other rheumatic conditions.


METHODS
National estimates, rates, and other characteristics of ambulatory care visits were calculated from a national sample of patient visits to physician offices and acute care hospital outpatient and emergency departments.


RESULTS
An estimated 36.5 million ambulatory care visits were related to arthritis and other rheumatic conditions. Visit rates increased with age and, overall, were twice as high among women as men. Rates of visits by race varied by ambulatory care setting. Soft tissue disorders (9.3 million), osteoarthritis (7.1 million), nonspecific joint pain/effusion (7.0 million), and rheumatoid arthritis (3.9 million) were the most common diagnoses.


CONCLUSIONS
Arthritis and other rheumatic conditions account for about as many ambulatory care visits as cardiovascular disease or essential hypertension. These visits serve as excellent opportunities to counsel patients regarding prevention messages for arthritis.
Hootman
Jennifer M
JM
National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA. jhootman@cdc.gov
Helmick
Charles G
CG
Schappert
Susan M
SM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D003625:Data Collection; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D010044:Outpatient Clinics, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010824:Physicians' Offices / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology