[Study on the prevalence of arthritis and relevant factors in Shanghai].
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to understand the prevalence rate, epidemiological characteristics and relevant factors of arthritis in Shanghai.


METHODS
A sample of 7 575 residents aged 15 years and above was drawn from 6 communities under multiple stage cluster sampling. A household survey with questionnaire was carried out to differentiate both undiagnosed patients and those with definite arthritis. Those who had not been diagnosed before were asked to carry further clinical examinations by a rheumatologist.


RESULTS
The prevalence rate of arthritis was 6.11%, including osteoarthritis (OA) 4.18%, rheumatoid arthritis (RA) 0.52%, gout 0.28%, ankylosing spondylitis (AS) 0.28%, rheumatic arthritis 0.49% and other types arthritis 0.82%. Arthritis was significantly related to cardiovascular disease, pulmonary disease and gastrointestinal disease. Age, female and obesity might serve as risk factors for arthritis. Physical labors and living in rural area might have protecting effects.


CONCLUSIONS
Elderly and female seemed to be at high risk for arthritis. Weight control and more exercise should be encouraged to reduce the risks. For arthritis patients, treatment to other chronic diseases should not be ignored.
Shi
Fang
F
The Department of Preventive Medicine, The School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.
Gu
Kai
K
Lu
Wei
W
Weng
Wei-fang
WF
Zhu
Mei-ying
MY
Peng
Yan-ying
YY
Fu
Dong-bo
DB
Fu
Hua
H
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001168:Arthritis / Q000145:classification / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D012923:Social Class; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors