Prevalence, Incidence, And Remission Rates of Some Common Rheumatic Diseases Or Syndromes

An epidemiological survey of joint diseases was performed during the period 1965–68 covering 15000 subjects, age-range 34–74 years. For common degenerative joint syndromes or diseases criteria for epidemiological use are scarce and not generally accepted. A scheme of such criteria for 12 common rheumatic diseases or syndromes is presented. They were used to establish age- and sex-specific figures for prevalence, incidence, and estimates of remission rates. Special attention was paid to arthrosis of knee and hip joints and “tennis elbow”. Furthermore, the amount of “concealed” prevalence, i.e. a subjectively symptomless disease, was calculated for hallux valgus, hallux rigidus, hydrops of the knee, and Heberden's nodes. It could be shown that incidence and prevalence figures and remission rates indicate clear sex differences in the natural history of selected, rheumatic diseases, implying different exposure to the wear and tear of daily life. The annual incidence of painful shoulders was highest and more than 2% in age group 42–46 years, but for epicondylitis humeri constantly declined with age. Unclassified rheumatic disorders/complaints were more common in young people and in females. It is also concluded that prevalence, incidence, and remission-rate estimates for common rheumatic diseases and disorders bear clear relevance for the understanding of the efficiency of health services.