To assess the prevalence and management of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in the general adult population of Greece.
This cross-sectional study was conducted on the total adult population (> or =19 yrs old) of seven communities (8,547 subjects), and on 2,100 out of 5,686 randomly selected subjects in two additional communities. The study, based on a standardized questionnaire and clinical evaluation and laboratory investigation when necessary, was carried out by rheumatologists who visited the target population at their homes. Diagnosis of RA was based on the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) 1987 criteria.
A total of 8,740 subjects participated (response rate 82.1%). RA was diagnosed in 59 individuals. The prevalence of RA was 0.68% (95% CI 0.51-0.85); it was significantly higher in females than males (P< 0.0005), and increased significantly with age up to and including the 50-59-yr-old group (P< 0.002), and then decreased slightly. On their first medical visit, 19% (95% CI 9.7-30.9) of the RA patients had consulted a rheumatologist, while during the first year after disease onset, 61% (95% CI 48.6-73.4) had done so. Early consultation with a rheumatologist and disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD) combination therapy were negatively associated with ACR functional classes II-IV [adjusted odds ratios 0.18 (95% CI 0.04-0.85) and 0.17 (95% CI 0.04-0.72), respectively].
The prevalence of RA in the general adult population of Greece is similar to that in many other European countries; early consultation with a rheumatologist and DMARD combination therapy are associated with a better RA outcome.