title: Estimating the prevalence and disease characteristics of rheumatoid arthritis in Tehran: A WHO -ILAR COPCORD Study (from Iran COPCORD study, Urban Study stage 1).
abstract: BACKGROUND
  To estimate the prevalence and characteristics of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) in an urban area of Tehran.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 50 clusters were randomly selected in Tehran and 10291 subjects completed the COPCORD Core Questionnaire during 2004 and 2005. Patients with rheumatic complaints were examined and diagnosed by subspecialty fellows in rheumatology. Laboratory and radiology tests were also performed if required.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 35 subjects (5 men and 30 women) were diagnosed with RA, with a prevalence of 0.33% (95% CI: 0.22-0.46). Our results demonstrated that RA was six times more common in women than men. The mean age (± SD) of patients was 52.3 (± 17.6) years. Morning stiffness > 1 hour was reported in 37.1% of patients. Rheumatic signs were commonly found in wrist (60%), knee (60%), metacarpophalangeal (48.6%) and proximal interphalangeals of hand (40%). Approximately 46% of patients had difficulty carrying out daily activities.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  According to our study, the prevalence of RA in Iran seems to be lower than western countries. However, the prevalence of RA in Iran seems to be approximately in the middle point comparing the APLAR region (from 0.7% in Australia (rural) to 0.12% in Thailand).
authors: 1. MD, Professor of Rheumatology, Rheumatology Research Center, Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. jamshida@sina.tums.ac.ir.
authors: Ahmad-Reza
authors: AR
authors: Jamshidi
authors: 2. MD, MPH, School of Public Health, Department of Epidemiology, Iran University of Medical Sciences & Rheumatology Research Center, Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. tehranib@gmail.com.
authors: Arash
authors: A
authors: Tehrani Banihashemi
authors: 3. MD, Rheumatology Research Center, Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. roknsharifi.sh@gmail.com.
authors: Shima
authors: S
authors: Roknsharifi
authors: 4. MD, Assistant Professor of Rheumatology, Rheumatology Research Center, Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. akhlaghimd@yahoo.com.
authors: Masoumeh
authors: M
authors: Akhlaghi
authors: 5. MD, Associate Professor of Rheumatology, Rheumatology Research Center, Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. salimzad@tums.ac.ir.
authors: Ahmad
authors: A
authors: Salimzadeh
authors: 6. MD, Professor of Rheumatology, Rheumatology Research Center, Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. fddh@neda.net.
authors: Fereydoun
authors: F
authors: Davatchi
keywords: Iran; Prevalence; Rheumatoid Arthritis