A Survey of Rheumatism in a Rural New Zealand Maori Community

Abstract

A rural Maori community has been surveyed for prevalence of rheumatic disorders, with simultaneous assessment of distribution of positive latex-agglutination, serum uric acid levels, and degenerative joint changes in the hands as seen by mass miniature x-ray. The higher prevalence of gout and lower prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis as compared with European New Zealanders, which had been previously reported, was again confirmed; and high prevalence of hyperuricemia was found. A recently reported high prevalence of obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and degenerative cardiovascular disease is briefly discussed in relationship to gout and hyperuricemia. The serum uric acid level distribution curves show bimodality and favour a frequently occurring genetic cause for the hyperuricemia and gout. The effect of environmental factors is to be the subject of further study.