Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://hdl.handle.net/1942/2592
Title: Prevalence of rheumatic diseases in a rheumatological outpatient practice
Authors: VANHOOF, Johan 
Declerck, K
GEUSENS, Piet 
Issue Date: 2002
Publisher: BRITISH MED JOURNAL PUBL GROUP
Source: ANNALS OF THE RHEUMATIC DISEASES, 61(5). p. 453-455
Abstract: Objective: To assess the prevalence and distribution of rheumatic diseases in a community based rheumatological outpatient practice. Methods: Rheumatological diagnoses of 3751 consecutive new and returning patients were recorded using a standard diagnosis form. Results: 6264 rheumatological diagnoses were made in 3751 patients, of whom 1097 were newly referred; 69% of all patients were female. Inflammatory joint and spine diseases were diagnosed in 42% of all patients (including 5% with connective tissue diseases), soft tissue rheumatism in 37%, degenerative joint and spine diseases in 36%, and metabolic bone diseases in 17% of all patients. In new patients soft tissue rheumatism was most prevalent (51%), 45% had osteoarthritis, 24% had inflammatory joint and spine disease (including 2% with connective tissue disease), and 13% had metabolic bone disease. One of 10 new patients was diagnosed with definite rheumatoid arthritis. In returning patients the prevalence of inflammatory rheumatic diseases was higher (49%, including 6% with connective tissue diseases). 28% of the returning patients had rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis was present in 33% and metabolic bone disease in 19% of the returning patients. Conclusions: Soft tissue rheumatism and degenerative joint and spine diseases are the most common rheumatological diagnoses in newly referred patients visiting a community based rheumatological outpatient practice. Inflammatory rheumatic diseases were most prevalent in returning patients.
Notes: Acad Ziekenhuis, Dept Rheumatol, Maastricht, Netherlands. Limburgs Univ Ctr, Biomed Res Inst, Clin Res Ctr Bone & Joint Dis, Diepenbeek, Belgium.Geusens, P, Acad Ziekenhuis, Dept Rheumatol, Maastricht, Netherlands.
Document URI: http://hdl.handle.net/1942/2592
ISSN: 0003-4967
e-ISSN: 1468-2060
DOI: 10.1136/ard.61.5.453
ISI #: 000175320600015
Category: A1
Type: Journal Contribution
Validations: ecoom 2003
Appears in Collections:Research publications

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