Objective. To carry out a cross-sectional survey on prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms,
rheumatoid arthritis (RA), ankylosing spondylitis (AS), and gout.
Methods. In Shanghai, 4 communities comprising 7603 inhabitants over 15 years of age in an urban
population were randomly selected from 13 communities. Interviews were conducted from
September 1997 to March 1998 by trained physicians using the COPCORD Core Questionnaire.
Physical and radiographic examinations and serologic tests were carried out when required to classify
categories of rheumatic diseases. The diagnoses of RA, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE),
and gout were based on American Rheumatism Association criteria. The diagnosis of AS strictly
followed the modified New York criteria of 1984. Crude prevalence rates were standardized
according to a standard Chinese population for age and sex structure.
Results. A total of 6584 adults (3394 women, 3190 men) were interviewed, and response rate was
86.6%. The age and sex standardized prevalence rate of rheumatic symptoms at any site amounted
to 13.3% (95% CI 12.5–14.1%). Symptoms occurred more frequently in the following sites: knee
7.0% (95% CI 6.4–7.6%), lower back 5.6% (95% CI 5.0–6.2%), shoulder 4.7% (95% CI 4.2–5.2%),
and neck 2.4% (95% CI 2.0–2.8%). Women complained of rheumatic symptoms more frequently
than men. The standardized rates of RA, AS, gout, symptomatic knee osteoarthritis, and soft tissue
rheumatism were 0.28% (95% CI 0.15–0.41%), 0.11% (95% CI 0.03–0.19%), 0.22% (95% CI
0.11–0.33%), 4.1% (95% CI 3.6–4.6%), and 3.4% (95% CI 3.0–3.8%), respectively. Two cases of
SLE, one case of dermatomyositis, and one case of systemic sclerosis were found.
Conclusion. Compared with rates in European and Western countries the prevalence rates of RA,
AS, and gout are low in Shanghai, China, although the prevalence rates of rheumatic symptoms are
high. (J Rheumatol 2003;30:2245–51)