Rheumatic Complaints in a Rural Population

Abstract

A survey of rheumatic complaints was carried out in a rural area of Yorkshire with a population of 1821 people over the age of 14 years. The results were used in the selection of an Area Sample, which was investigated radiologically, serologically, and clinically by the Empire Rheumatism Council Field Unit. This sample consisted of 1025 persons over the age of 14 years of whom 891 were examined. The people were divided into 2 groups, those born in the Dale and those coming into the district. No significant difference was found in prevalence of rheumatic complaints between these 2 groups, or between them and other reported population studies. Some features of inflammatory polyarthritis were considered in relation to sex and to evidence of disease. An earlier onset and a better prognosis was found among men. The small group with arthritis associated with a positive S. S. C. T. fared worse than all other groups. Results are discussed in relation to other population studies and studies of the course of inflammatory polyarthritis.