[Spondylarthropathies and rheumatoid arthritis in some Finno-Ugrian populations in Russia].

AIM: Determination of the prevalence of spondylarthropathies (SAP) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) among Finno-Ugrian population of Russia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A one stage expedition trial was made of representative samples of Mordovian and Mari populations including 1312 citizens aged over 14 years. RESULTS: Incidence rate of SAP among Mordovian and Mari examinees was 0.7 and 0.2%, respectively, ankylosing spondylitis being most frequent finding. RA occurred in 2.5 and 0.6%, respectively. All the RA cases were females without family history of this disease. CONCLUSION: SAP and RA prevalence among Mordovian and Mari populations was high but their course is more favorable than among other population of Russia.