Prevalence of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Abstract

A random sample of 751 males and 814 females in the town of Leigh in Lancashire and an area sample of 485 males and 540 females in Wensleydale in Yorkshire were investigated clinically, radiologically, and serologically to determine the prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis. The examination was completed in 86% of the Leigh sample and in 87% of the Wensleydale sample. Using the American Rheumatism Association Criteria, the minimal prevalence of "definite" disease was 0.4% in males and 1.4% in females, and that of "probable" disease was 1.7% in males and 3.8% in females. Radio-logical evidence of erosive arthritis was present in 8% of males and females X-rayed, but was. more severe in females. Changes were most frequently encountered in the cervical spine. A positive sheep cell agglutination test was found in 4% of males and 5% of females. In Great Britain in 1959, approximately 377,000 males and 1,034,000 females had "probable" or "definite" rheumatoid arthritis.