Prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis in France: 2001

Abstract

Background: Prevalence estimates of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) vary across Europe. Recent estimates in southern European countries showed a lower prevalence than in northern countries. Objectives: To estimate the prevalence of RA in France in a multiregional representative sample in the year 2001. Methods: A two stage random sample was constituted in seven areas (20 counties) from the national telephone directory of households and by the next birthday method in each household. Patientinterviewers, member of self help groups, were trained to administer telephone surveys using a validated questionnaire for case detection of inflammatory rheumatism, and conducted the survey under quality control. All suspected cases of RA were confirmed by their rheumatologist or by clinical examination. Prevalence estimates after probability sampling correction were standardised for age and sex (national census 1999). Results: An average response rate of 64.7% (two stages combined) led to a total of 9395 respondents. Standardised prevalence was 0.31% (95% confidence interval 0.18 to 0.48) for RA, 0.51% in women and 0.09% in men, with a higher age-specific prevalence in the 65-74 year age band. A geographical analysis of county clustering showed significant variation across the country. Conclusion: This national multiregional cooperative study demonstrates the usefulness of working in association with patients of self help groups. It showed a similar prevalence of RA to that of the spondyloarthropathies estimated concomitantly during the survey. It provides a reliable basis for definition of population targets for healthcare delivery and drug treatments.

Prevalence of Gout in the Adult Population of France

“…Gout may be an important public health concern, and good knowledge of gout epidemiology is needed to assess the health care needs according to the disease burden. As compared with data for rheumatoid arthritis (10), spondyloarthropathy (11), and osteoarthritis (12), there are no recent data on the overall prevalence of gout in France. One older study determined the prevalence of gout in men, but not women, living in Paris, and found a prevalence of 1.1% among men ages 35-39 years and 2.0% among men 40-44 years (13).…”

Comparison of Certolizumab Pegol with Other Anticytokine Agents for Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Multiple-treatment Bayesian Metaanalysis

“…RA affects 0.3% to 1% of the population in Western countries 1,2,3 . If untreated, it leads to joint destruction and functional deterioration and considerable alteration of quality of life.…”

The Low Prevalence of Rheumatoid Arthritis in Two Regions of Serbia Based on Evidence-Based Data

“…[17] Recent studies on RA prevalence in the Mediterranean region and the surrounding areas have also demonstrated lower values than in Northern Europe. The reported prevalence rates were 0.31% in France, [1] 0.33% in Italy, [2] and 0.37% in Turkey. [3] Another study on the prevalence of RA in the Southern part of Hungary (the border area with Serbia) demonstrated a value of 0.37%.…”

“…Studies in Central European countries as well in the Mediterranean area demonstrated the prevalence of RA to be between 0.3 and 0.8. [1][2][3][4][5] The reasons for the overall decrease in the number of patients might be related to a better definition of RA, the precise use of classification criteria, the use of the same methodology to investigate the different populations, and extrinsic factors such as better health conditions and improved nutrition and lifestyle.…”