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Prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis in France: 2001
  1. F Guillemin1,
  2. A Saraux2,
  3. P Guggenbuhl3,
  4. C H Roux4,
  5. P Fardellone5,
  6. E Le Bihan1,
  7. A Cantagrel6,
  8. I Chary-Valckenaere7,
  9. L Euller-Ziegler4,
  10. R-M Flipo8,
  11. R Juvin9,
  12. J-M Behier10,
  13. B Fautrel11,
  14. C Masson12,
  15. J Coste13
  1. 1EA 3444, School of Public Health, Nancy, France
  2. 2Rheumatology, University Hospital, Brest, France
  3. 3Rheumatology, University Hospital, Rennes, France
  4. 4Rheumatology, University Hospital, Nice, France
  5. 5Rheumatology, University Hospital, Amiens, France
  6. 6Rheumatology, University Hospital, Toulouse, France
  7. 7Rheumatology, University Hospital, Nancy, France
  8. 8Rheumatology, University Hospital, Lille, France
  9. 9Rheumatology, University Hospital, Grenoble, France
  10. 10Pharmacia, France
  11. 11Rheumatology, Pitié-Salpétrière University Hospital, Paris, France
  12. 12Rheumatology, University Hospital, Angers, France
  13. 13Biostatistics, Cochin University Hospital, Paris, France
  1. Correspondence to:
    Professor F Guillemin
    EA 3444 School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine BP 184, University of Nancy 1, 54 05 Vandoeuvre-les-Nancy, France; francis.guilleminmedecine.uhp-nancy.fr

Abstract

Background: Prevalence estimates of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) vary across Europe. Recent estimates in southern European countries showed a lower prevalence than in northern countries.

Objectives: To estimate the prevalence of RA in France in a multiregional representative sample in the year 2001.

Methods: A two stage random sample was constituted in seven areas (20 counties) from the national telephone directory of households and by the next birthday method in each household. Patient-interviewers, member of self help groups, were trained to administer telephone surveys using a validated questionnaire for case detection of inflammatory rheumatism, and conducted the survey under quality control. All suspected cases of RA were confirmed by their rheumatologist or by clinical examination. Prevalence estimates after probability sampling correction were standardised for age and sex (national census 1999).

Results: An average response rate of 64.7% (two stages combined) led to a total of 9395 respondents. Standardised prevalence was 0.31% (95% confidence interval 0.18 to 0.48) for RA, 0.51% in women and 0.09% in men, with a higher age-specific prevalence in the 65–74 year age band. A geographical analysis of county clustering showed significant variation across the country.

Conclusion: This national multiregional cooperative study demonstrates the usefulness of working in association with patients of self help groups. It showed a similar prevalence of RA to that of the spondyloarthropathies estimated concomitantly during the survey. It provides a reliable basis for definition of population targets for healthcare delivery and drug treatments.

  • prevalence
  • rheumatoid arthritis
  • France
  • epidemiology
  • geographical variations

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Footnotes

  • Published Online First 30 March 2005

  • Francis Guillemin, Alain Saraux, Pascal Guggenbuhl, Christian H Roux, Patrice Fardellone, Bruno Fautrel, Charles Masson, and Joel Coste are members of the epidemiology section of the Société Française de Rhumatologie

Linked Articles

  • Extended report
    A Saraux F Guillemin P Guggenbuhl C H Roux P Fardellone E Le Bihan A Cantagrel I Chary-Valckenaere L Euller-Ziegler R-M Flipo R Juvin J-M Behier B Fautrel C Masson J Coste