title: Prevalence and factors associated with rheumatic diseases and chronic joint symptoms in the elderly.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In the elderly population, rheumatic conditions are major causes of pain that restrict participation in activities and mobility, and cause difficulties in the execution of self-care tasks. The present study aimed to analyze the prevalence and factors associated with the self-reported rheumatic diseases and chronic joint symptoms of the elderly.
  
  
  METHODS
  This transversal epidemiological survey involved 2209 older adults (aged ≥ 60 years). The investigation included sociodemographic factors, anthropometrics, activities of daily living, chronic conditions, medication and quality of life. Univariate and multivariate regression analysis were used for statistical procedures, P ≤ 0.05.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of rheumatism was 22.7%. Multivariate analysis showed that rheumatism was correlated with the following: female sex (OR = 1.91), high income (OR = 2.34), cardiovascular disease (OR = 1.42), cataracts (OR = 1.39), glucocorticoids (OR = 5.24), other anti-inflammatory medications (OR = 2.24) and pain (OR = 0.983). After adjusting for age and glucocorticoids, an association between cataracts and rheumatism was detected (OR = 1.32). The prevalence of symptoms was 45.6%. Multivariate regression results for symptoms included the following: female sex (OR = 1.40), body mass index ≥ 30.0 kg/m(2) (OR = 3.31), functional capacity (OR = 0.990), general health (OR = 0.993) and pain (OR = 0.981). After adjustment for age and glucocorticoids, an association between cataracts and symptoms was detected (OR = 1.26).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There was a significant association of rheumatism and symptoms with women and high incomes. Obesity was associated with joint symptoms, which in turn were associated with an impaired quality of life. Cataracts and cardiovascular disease were associated with rheumatism. The identification of these characteristics in the elderly will contribute to a better understanding of this systemic disease and should be used to plan effective preventive measures.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medical Sciences, Gerontology Program, State University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil.
authors.forename: Gláucia R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Falsarella
authors.forename: Ibsen B
authors.initials: IB
authors.lastname: Coimbra
authors.forename: Caroline C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Barcelos
authors.forename: Lilian Tl
authors.initials: LT
authors.lastname: Costallat
authors.forename: Olga Mf
authors.initials: OM
authors.lastname: Carvalho
authors.forename: Arlete Mv
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Coimbra
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007592:Joint Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012216:Rheumatic Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012307:Risk Factors
keywords: elderly; joint symptoms; prevalence; rheumatism