THU0253 The prevalence of inflammatory rheumatic diseases in the urban population of antalya, turkey (a preliminary study report)

Background Objectives To estimate the prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis, sero-negative spondylarthritis, SLE and other connective tissue diseases in the urban population of Antalya. Methods The region in which the study was performed is the urban area of Antalya with a population of 508.840(according to 1997 national census) and a high migratory rate. 3000 subjects, 16 years old and more were selected by random cluster sampling. Trained 10 clinicians and 20 medical students visited 1521 subject in their homes (door to door system) so far and detailed interview on the basis of a standardised questionnaire was performed. The patients suspected of inflammatory rheumatic diseases were invited to the hospital and detailed physical examination and laboratory evaluation was done, if necessary. The diagnosis was established by using standard criteria of each diseases. Results Of subjects, 767 female and 754 male (totally 1521) were evaluated so far. Seven Rheumatoid Arthritis (6 Female,1 Male), 2 Ankylosing spondylitis (2M), 2 SLE (1M, 1F), 1 Systemic sclerosis (F), 1 Behcet disease (F), 1 Sarcoidosis (F), 1 FMF(M) were established and thus the point prevalences of them were estimated as 0.46%, 0.13%, 0.13% respectively for the first 3 and 0.06% for the last 4 diseases. Conclusion This is the first comprehensive prevalence study on rheumatic diseases in such a sample which may reflect Turkish population because of migration in this area from nearly all over Turkey. The study will be maintained up to 3000 subject and presented at Eular 2001 Congress as a completed study. Supported by Research Fund of Akdeniz University.