Prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis in persons 60 years of age and older in the United States: Effect of different methods of case classification

Abstract

Objective. To determine prevalence estimates for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in noninstitutionalized older adults in the US. Prevalence estimates were compared using 3 different classification methods based on current classification criteria for RA.Methods. Data from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES-III) were used to generate prevalence estimates by 3 classification methods in persons 60 years of age and older (n ‫؍‬ 5,302). Method 1 applied the "n of k" rule, such that subjects who met 3 of 6 of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) 1987 criteria were classified as having RA (data from hand radiographs were not available). In method 2, the ACR classification tree algorithm was applied. For method 3, medication data were used to augment case identification via method 2. Population prevalence estimates and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were determined using the 3 methods on data stratified by sex, race/ethnicity, age, and education.Results. Overall prevalence estimates using the 3 classification methods were 2.03% (95% CI 1.30-2.76), 2.15% (95% CI 1.43-2.87), and 2.34% (95% CI 1.66-3.02), respectively. The prevalence of RA was generally greater in the following groups: women, Mexican Americans, respondents with less education, and respondents who were 70 years of age and older.Conclusion. The prevalence of RA in persons 60 years of age and older is ϳ2%, representing the proportion of the US elderly population who will most likely require medical intervention because of disease activity. Different classification methods yielded similar prevalence estimates, although detection of RA was enhanced by incorporation of data on use of prescription medications, an important consideration in large population surveys.

The eye in systemic vasculitis

“…16 KCS is the commonest manifestation of Sjögren's syndrome associated with RA. 17 The ocular surface in KCS is poorly lubricated causing corneal epithelial changes.…”

Randomized withdrawal of long‐term prednisolone treatment in rheumatoid arthritis: effects on inflammation and bone mineral density

“…Comparison of the patients with and without OP showed that the women with OP were older (59.5±10.8 and 52.9±11.2 years, respectively; p < 0.01) had longer RA duration (14.5±9.2 and 11±8.0 years; p < 0.01), higher Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) functional disability index scores (1.7±0.8 and 1.4±0.9; p < 0.01), higher C-reactive protein (CRP) levels (13.5 [7; 31] and 11 [2,7; 26] mg/l; p < 0.01); a larger number of erosions (49 [11; 90] Ревматоидный артрит (РА) -аутоиммунное заболе-вание неизвестной этиологии, характеризующееся хро-ническим эрозивным артритом и частым поражением внутренних органов [1]. Он является одним из наиболее распространенных воспалительных ревматических заболеваний: частота РА в общей популяции составляет 1%, а у людей старше 65 лет достигает 3% [2]. Несмотря на значительный прогресс в лечении РА, продолжитель-ность жизни больных существенно ниже, чем в популя-ции.…”

Safety and Efficacy of Biological Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs in Older Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients: Staying the Distance

“…The overall prevalence of RA in older persons (≥60 years) is estimated around 2% and reaching up to 2.8% after 70 years [8].…”