| Abstract | OBJECTIVE: To estimate and compare the observed and expected prevalence of the co-existence of rheumatic diseases (RD) with other chronic conditions. METHODS: The self-reported diagnosis of chronic conditions was obtained from the 2192 participants in a national health survey (Spain, 1999-2000) We compared the estimated prevalence of the co-existence of a RD with other chronic conditions, to the expected prevalence using two-sample test of proportion. RESULTS: The observed (O) prevalence was significantly higher than expected (E) in the following combination of self-reported diseases: RD+arterial hypertension (O/E ratio = 1.88), RD+diabetes mellitus (O/E ratio = 2.07), RD+hypercholesterolemia (O/E ratio = 1.87), RD+cardiological (O/E ratio = 1.83), and RD+digestive diseases (O/E ratio = 2.07). The prevalence of selected co-existent pairs of diseases is more frequent with increasing age and differs between women and men. CONCLUSIONS: The excess in prevalence of some combinations of diseases may serve as a reminder to the rheumatologists that many of their patients will have co-existent disease of which they need to be aware to properly plan their management. It may also be a sign of common risk factors between diseases or of adverse events. |
| Authors | E Loza, J A Jover, L Rodriguez-Rodriguez, L Carmona, EPISER Study Group
(Affiliation: Rheumatology Unit, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Madrid, Spain.)
|
| Journal | Annals of the rheumatic diseases
(Ann Rheum Dis)
Vol. 67
Issue 3
Pg. 418-21
(Mar 2008)
ISSN: 1468-2060 England |
| PMID | 17981917
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
|
| Topics |
- Adult
- Age Distribution
- Cardiovascular Diseases
(epidemiology)
- Chronic Disease
(epidemiology)
- Comorbidity
- Diabetes Mellitus
(epidemiology)
- Digestive System Diseases
(epidemiology)
- Female
- Health Surveys
- Humans
- Hypercholesterolemia
(epidemiology)
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Rheumatic Diseases
(epidemiology)
- Sex Distribution
- Spain
(epidemiology)
|
