The prevalence and accuracy of self-reported history of 11 autoimmune diseases.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence and confirmation rate of autoimmune diseases reported by relatives of patients with lupus and controls.


METHODS
Medical histories were obtained by self-report from 626 first-degree relatives of lupus patients and 267 population controls.


RESULTS
Of 178 reports of an autoimmune disease, 44% were confirmed by medical records; excluding those whose medical records were unavailable, the confirmation rate was 76%. The prevalence of at least one confirmed autoimmune disease was 12% in lupus relatives and 2% in controls.


CONCLUSIONS
Methods to improve the reliability of self-reported autoimmune disease history could enhance population and clinic-based research.
Cooper
Glinda S
GS
United States Environmental Protection Agency, National Center for Environmental Assessment, Washington, DC 20460, USA. cooper.glinda@epa.gov
Wither
Joan
J
McKenzie
Tamara
T
Claudio
Jaime O
JO
Bernatsky
Sasha
S
Fortin
Paul R
PR
D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002170:Canada / Q000453:epidemiology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000453:epidemiology; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010358:Patient Participation; D015995:Prevalence