Article

Incidence of rheumatoid arthritis in central massachusetts

  1. Kin-Wei A. Chan MD, ScD†,
  2. David T. Felson MD, MPH*,
  3. Robert A. Yood MD,
  4. Alexander M. Walker MD, DrPH

Article first published online: 9 DEC 2005

DOI: 10.1002/art.1780361207

Issue

Arthritis & Rheumatism

Arthritis & Rheumatism

Volume 36, Issue 12, pages 1691–1696, December 1993

Additional Information

How to Cite

Chan, K.-W. A., Felson, D. T., Yood, R. A. and Walker, A. M. (1993), Incidence of rheumatoid arthritis in central massachusetts. Arthritis & Rheumatism, 36: 1691–1696. doi: 10.1002/art.1780361207

Author Information

  1. Department of Epidemiology, Harvard School of Public Health, and the Boston University Multipurpose Arthritis Center, Boston, Massachusetts, and the Divisions of Rheumatology, Fallon Clinic, Inc. and St. Vincent Hospital, Worcester, Massachusetts.

  1. †

    NTU Institute of Public Health, Taipei, Taiwan

*Boston University Multipurpose Arthritis Center, 80 East Concord Street, A-203, Boston, MA 02118

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 9 DEC 2005
  2. Article first published online: 9 DEC 2005
  3. Manuscript Accepted: 5 MAY 1993
  4. Manuscript Received: 31 DEC 1992

Funded by

  • Harvard Pharmacoepidemiology Program (program activities supported by Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
  • Burroughs Wellcome Fund
  • Ciba-Geigy Corporation
  • Hoffmann-La Roche, Inc
  • Eli Lilly and Company
  • Merck and Company, and Pfizer, Inc
  • NIH. Grant Number: AR-20613
  • Boston University Multipurpose Arthritis Center

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Abstract

Objective. To determine whether there is a secular decline in the incidence of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), as has been suggested by previous studies.

Methods. In the absence of comprehensive data in the United States population, we estimated RA incidence in a health maintenance organization population from 1987 through 1990 and compared the rates with those in an earlier, similarly performed study from Rochester, Minnesota, which covered the years 1950 through 1974. RA estimates were based on our review of medical records of patients who had been diagnosed as having RA or related diseases during the period of January 1, 1987 through December 31, 1990.

Results. Annual age-standardized incidence of classic or definite RA (according to the American College of Rheumatology [formerly, the American Rheumatism Association] 1958 criteria) in patients aged 18 or older was 22 per 100,000 in men and 60 per 100,000 in women. The incidence of RA increased with age, with a marked increase in women older than 50.

Conclusion. We found no secular change in RA incidence compared with the similarly ascertained historical data.

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