title: Prevalence of and risk factors for the occurrence of symptomatic osteoarthritis in rural regions of Shanxi Province, China.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the prevalence of symptomatic osteoarthritis (OA) in rural regions of Shanxi Province, China, and to identify factors increasing the prevalence of OA.
  
  
  METHODS
  Residents over 16 years of age of targeted towns and villages in rural regions of Shanxi Province were sampled using a stratified multi-stage cluster method. Those exhibiting symptoms of rheumatism were referred to rheumatologists and those in whom rheumatism was suspected were X-rayed within 10 days of interview. OA was diagnosed by consensus (two or three rheumatologists). Factors associated with the presence of OA were identified.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 7126 permanent residents were surveyed and 1734 (24.3%) had OA. Knee OA was the most prevalent form of OA (13.8%), followed by lumbar (7.4%), cervical (3.4%), hand (3.3%), shoulder (3.0%), elbow (2.9%), ankle (0.7%), hip (0.6%), wrist (0.5%), thoracic (0.5%) and foot OA (0.5%). All of knee, ankle, shoulder and hand OA exhibited a gender bias. Advanced age, a sweet tooth, poor home ventilation, poor home heating, separation, divorce, or death of a partner, low-grade occupation, low educational level, high body mass index and the presence of concomitant cardiovascular disease, were associated with the presence of OA.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Symptomatic OA is very prevalent in rural regions of Shanxi Province. Many factors increase the prevalence of the condition. Primary and secondary prevention programs seeking to improve living conditions, to reduce obesity, and to effectively treat concomitant cardiovascular disease, are required.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Statistics, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China.|Publishing House of Chinese Journal of Rheumatology, Taiyuan, China.
authors.forename: Jun-Feng
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Statistics, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China.|Department of Cardiology, Shanxi Cardiovascular Hospital, Taiyuan, China.
authors.forename: Ling-Hua
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Song
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Statistics, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China.
authors.forename: Jun-Ni
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Wei
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Statistics, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China.
authors.forename: Ai-Lian
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Publishing House of Chinese Journal of Rheumatology, Taiyuan, China.
authors.forename: Hai-Yuan
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Dong
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology and Rheumatology, The Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China.
authors.forename: Hong-Yan
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Wen
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology and Rheumatology, The Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China.
authors.forename: Jing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Luo
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Statistics, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China.
authors.forename: Guifen
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Liu
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007596:Joints / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008019:Life Style; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D016017:Odds Ratio; D015207:Osteoarthritis, Hip / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012423:Rural Health; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: disease factors; epidemiology; osteoarthritis; rural population