Background The prevalence of musculoskeletal diseases in indigenous communities in Mexico is unknown. As a response to this challenge, the Latin American Study Group of Rheumatic Diseases in Indigenous Peoples (GLADERPO) was created. This project lies within the framework of this regional effort.

Objectives Estimate the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders (MSK) and rheumatic diseases in indigenous communities of the State of Oaxaca (Chontal and Mixteca Alta) using the COPCORD (Community Oriented Program for the Control of Rheumatic Diseases) methodology.

Methods Subjects ≥18 years of age from two indigenous communities of the Mixteca Alta and Chontal.

This is a cross-sectional and analytical community-based census study using a house-by-house method, in which staff members who received standardized training administered previously cross-culturally validated COPCORD questionnaire (1) in the communities. Positive cases of MSK pain were reviewed by primary care physicians and a rheumatologist.

Results 1,060 community residents were surveyed. The mean age was 46.9 years (SD 19.9; age range, 18 to 97 years), 642 (60.5%) of subjects were women; the mean education was 6.8 years (SD 4.7); 1,001 (94.4%) were employed; 679 (64.1%) were covered under National Health Insurance Programme (called “Seguro Popular”).

479 individuals (45.1%, 95% CI 42.1-48.2%) had MSK pain in the last 7 days. Of these, 110 (22.0%, 95% CI 19.2-26.9%) associated pain to a traumatic event; pain intensity was reported as “strong pain-severe pain” in 29.5%. Sites with pain in the last 7 days were the spine (44.1%), knees (22.2%), shoulders (5.3%), and elbows (4.1%).

Diagnoses: back pain 164 (15.4%; 95% CI 13.3-17.7); osteoarthritis 156 (14.7%; 95% CI 12.6-16.9); rheumatic regional pain syndromes 27 (2.5%; 95% CI 1.6-3.6); rheumatoid arthritis 4 (0.3%; 95% CI 0.1-0.9); dermatomyositis 1 (0.09%; 95% CI 0.0-0.5), ankylosing spondylitis 1 (0.09%; 95% CI 0.0-0.5); systemic lupus erythematosus 1 (0.09%; 95% CI 0.0-0.5); gout 1 (0.09%; 95% CI 0.0-0.5).

Conclusions The prevalence of MSK disorders in the indigenous communities of Mixteca and Chontal was 45.1%. Back pain and osteoarthritis were the most prevalent rheumatic diseases. We emphasize the overall prevalence of MSK pain in this indigenous population, generating a highly negative impact on the performance of daily activities.

Acknowledgements To the municipal authorities of San Antonio Huitepec and San Carlos Yautepec.

National Council for Science and Technology (CONACYT)- Salud 2001-01-162154.

Disclosure of Interest None declared

DOI 10.1136/annrheumdis-2014-eular.2707