Prevalence of Raynaud's phenomenon in the adult New Zealand population.
OBJECTIVE
To estimate the prevalence of Raynaud's phenomenon (RP) in the New Zealand adult population.


METHODS
350 adults 18 years and over, random selected from the electoral roll, were sent a postal survey based on the UK Scleroderma Study Group questionnaire. Participants were classified as having RP if they had biphasic colour changes.


RESULTS
There was a 67% response rate. The prevalence of RP was estimated to be 18.8% (95% Confidence Interval (CI) 13.0%-27.1%) in females and 4.9% (95%CI 1.9%-13.0%) in males. The prevalence decreased with age. There was a higher prevalence in the warmer north of the country. People of Maori descent and in more manual occupations had more serve symptoms. Among those reporting symptoms 11% (95%CI 7%-17%) had consulted a doctor.


CONCLUSIONS
New Zealand has high rates of RP. Few people with RP consult medical practitioners about their symptoms.
Department of Public Health, University of Otago, Wellington, PO Box 7343, Wellington South, New Zealand. gordon.purdie@otago.ac.nz
Gordon
G
Purdie
Andrew
A
Harrison
Dianne
D
Purdie
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009520:New Zealand / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D011336:Probability; D011928:Raynaud Disease / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012424:Rural Population; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D017678:Sex Distribution; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014505:Urban Population; D055815:Young Adult