[Multidisciplinary prospective epidemiological research regarding the prevalence of ankylosing spondilytis, comparatively in Romania and Iasi County, between 1990-2006].
During the period of study, the prevalence of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) cases values varied between 5.65% per hundred thousand in 1994 and 3.96 in 1999.


RESULTS
Are close to those obtained in the national research in 1989 (5.29% hundred thousand) and 1997 (6.34% hundred thousand). The sample of 6894 cases registered a prevalence of 28.86% in the 35-44 age groups with a decreasing trend, and 0.07% in = 85 age group. Males' prevalence was of 84.08%, comparatively with females (15.91% from total cases). Difference between residence areas had not statistic significance. In Iasi County, AS prevalence had increased values in all 17 years of study period, greater and often double that those at national level, and also greater than every county from Moldavia and one from the Western Romania. Demographical structure, variations, and those occupational, ecological, economical, educational could explain this situation.


CONCLUSIONS
Ankylosing spondylitis is included among the major problems in order to promote community health, taking into account its clinical epidemiological characteristics.
Tigău
Mioara-Maria
MM
Spitalul Clinic de Recuperare Iaşi.
Manole
Alina
A
Manole
M
M
Trifan
Mihaela
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015340:Epidemiologic Research Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D033183:Interdisciplinary Communication; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012383:Romania / Q000453:epidemiology; D018401:Sample Size; D017678:Sex Distribution; D013167:Spondylitis, Ankylosing / Q000453:epidemiology*