title: [Chronic joint symptoms in adults from Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil: prevalence and determinants].
abstract: With the objective of estimating the prevalence of chronic joint symptoms and their determinants, a cross-sectional study was conducted with 2,953 adults 20 years or older in Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil. Pain, swelling, and stiffness in joints were investigated, plus demographic, socioeconomic, and health-related information. Multivariate analysis was performed with Poisson regression. Overall prevalence of chronic joint symptoms was 36.5% (42.4% in women and 28.7% in men). The threefold presence of pain, swelling, and stiffness in joints was 14.1% and 5.5% in women and men, respectively. Chronic joint symptoms showed a linear association with increasing age (PR: 2.9; 95%CI: 2.4-3.5), body mass index (PR: 1.6; 95%CI: 1.3-2.0), and less schooling (PR: 1.5; 95%CI: 1.3-1.8). Only 6% of men and 18% of women had a medical diagnosis of arthritis. Overall prevalence rates for limitations in activities of daily living and work secondary to chronic joint symptoms were 15% and 21%, respectively. Young people and men represent the majority of individuals with under-diagnosed chronic joint symptoms.
authors.affiliation: Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Rua Santa Cruz 2439, Pelotas, Brazil. veralopess@yahoo.com.br
authors.forename: Vera Regina Lopes da
authors.initials: VR
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.forename: Ana Maria Baptista
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Menezes
authors.forename: Ricardo Bica
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Noal
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001168:Arthritis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D017678:Sex Distribution; D014505:Urban Population; D055815:Young Adult