Prevalence and associated factors of cross-sectional and incident self-reported arthritis or rheumatism among a national community sample of middle-aged and older adults in Thailand

Abstract

BackgroundThe study aimed to assess the prevalence and associated factors of cross-sectional and incident arthritis or rheumatism among a national community sample of middle-aged and older adults in Thailand.MethodsWe analyzed cross-sectional and longitudinal data from two consecutive waves (2015 and 2017) of the Health, Aging, and Retirement in Thailand (HART) study. Arthritis or rheumatism (SRA) was assessed by self-reported health care provider diagnosis.ResultsThe cross-sectional (baseline) sample included 5,616 participants (≥45 years, median age 66 years, interquartile range 57 to 76 years) and the incident (follow-up) sample included 3,545 participants. The prevalence of SRA in the cross-sectional sample (baseline) was 4.0% and in the incident (follow-up) sample 5.3%. In the cross-sectional multivariable model, obesity class I (aOR: 1.78, 95% CI: 1.19 to 2.67), obesity class II (aOR: 1.82, 95% CI: 1.02 to 3.25), hypertension (aOR: 1.90, 95% CI: 1.35 to 2.66), brain disease and/or psychiatric problems (aOR: 4.79, 95% CI: 2.27 to 10.62), sleep problem (aOR: 1.45, 95% CI: 1.01 to 2.07) and prescription drug use (aOR: 1.63, 95% CI: 1.14 to 2.33) were positively associated, and not in the labor force (aOR: 0.53, 95% CI: 0.34 to 0.84), and employed (aOR: 0.63, 95% CI: 0.41 to 0.99) were negatively associated with SRA. In the incident multivariable model, obesity class I (aOR: 1.78, 95% CI: 1.17 to 3.61), obesity class II (aOR: 2.01, 95% CI: 1.12 to 3.61), poor mental health (aOR: 1.69, 95% CI: 1.19 to 2.41), and functional disability (aOR: 2.04, 95% CI: 1.01 to 4.13) were positively associated, and current alcohol use (aOR: 0.50, 95% CI: 0.25 to 0.99) was negatively associated with SRA.ConclusionThe middle and older Thai adults had a low prevalence and incidence of SRA, and several physical and mental risk factors for cross-sectional and/or incident SRA were identified.

A Cross-Sectional and Longitudinal Study of Pain among Middle-Aged and Older Adults in Thailand

“…Sleep problem was defned as "almost always or often (versus sometimes or very rarely or never) having trouble falling asleep/insomnia in the past week" [9].…”

“…Chronic diseases (diagnosed by a healthcare provider) included diabetes, hypertension, arthritis or rheumatism, emphysema, emotional/nervous or psychiatric illness, lung diseases, Alzheimer's disease, cardiovascular diseases, brain diseases, kidney diseases, heart disease, and heart failure [9].…”

“…Participants. Cross-sectional and longitudinal national data were analysed from two consecutive surveys of the Health, Aging, and Retirement in Tailand (HART) study in 2015 and 2017 [9]. In a national sample, one household member (≥45 years) (inclusion criteria) was randomly selected by applying a multistage sampling process [9]; detailed procedures have been published [10].…”

“…Cross-sectional and longitudinal national data were analysed from two consecutive surveys of the Health, Aging, and Retirement in Tailand (HART) study in 2015 and 2017 [9]. In a national sample, one household member (≥45 years) (inclusion criteria) was randomly selected by applying a multistage sampling process [9]; detailed procedures have been published [10]. Te sample size of the 2015 survey was 5,616, and the sample of the 2017 survey was 3,708 participants, 1,908 were lost to follow-up, and the response and retention rate was 72.3% and 66.03%, respectively [11].…”

“…Te sample size of the 2015 survey was 5,616, and the sample of the 2017 survey was 3,708 participants, 1,908 were lost to follow-up, and the response and retention rate was 72.3% and 66.03%, respectively [11]. At baseline, a paper and pencil (PAPI) questionnaire were used, and at follow-up computer-assisted personal interviewing (CAPI) [9]. Te Ethics Committee on Human Research of the National Institute of Development Administration, ECNIDA (ECNIDA 2020/00012), approved the study, and participants gave written informed consent [11].…”