Epidemiologic study of soft tissue rheumatism in Shantou and Taiyuan, China

Background Soft tissue rheumatism is a group of common rheumatic disorders reported in many countries.For investigating the prevalence rate of soft tissue rheumatism in different population in China, we carried out a population study in Shantou rural and Taiyuan urban area.Methods Samples of 3915 adults in an urban area of Taiyuan, Shanxi Province, and 2350 in a rural area of Shantou,Guangdong Province were surveyed.Modified International League of Association for Rheumatology （ILAR）-Asia Pacific League of Association for Rheumatology （APLAR） Community Oriented Program for Control of Rheumatic Diseases （COPCORD） core questionnaire was implemented as screening tool.The positive responders were then all examined by rheumatologists.Results Prevalence rate of soft tissue rheumatism was 2.0% in Taiyuan, and 5.3% in Shantou.Rotator cuff （shoulder）tendinitis, adhesive capsulitis （frozen shoulder）, lateral epicondylitis （tennis elbow）, and digital flexor tenosynovitis （trigger finger） were the commonly seen soft tissue rheumatism in both areas.Tatarsalgia, plantar fasciitis, and De Quervain＇s tenosynovitis were more commonly seen in Shantou than that in Taiyuan.Only 1 case of fibromyalgia was found in Taiyuan and 2 cases in Shantou.The prevalence of soft tissue rheumatism varied with age, sex and occupation.Conclusions Soft tissue rheumatism is common in Taiyuan and Shantou, China.The prevalence of soft tissue rheumatism was quite different with different geographic, environmental, and socioeconomic conditions; and varying with age, sex, and occupation.The prevalence of fibromyalgia is low in the present survey.

Prevalence and pattern of soft‐tissue rheumatism in a rural community in South‐South Nigeria: A cross‐sectional survey

Background:Soft tissue rheumatism arises from the pathology of periarticular structures.They are marked by pain and disability.Epidemiological studies in sub‐Saharan Africa are sparse.This study aimed to determine the epidemiology of soft‐tissue rheumatism in a rural community in South‐South Nigeria.Methods:This was a community‐based,cross‐sectional study conducted from February to July 2017 in South‐South Nigeria among 319 participants using the Community Oriented Program for the Control of Rheumatic Diseases(COPCORD)methodology.Participants aged 18 years and older were included in the study.Subjects reporting positive musculoskeletal pain were examined for specific soft tissue rheumatism.The diagnosis was based on established criteria.Results:The mean age of the study population was 48.87±19.58 years.The prevalence of soft‐tissue rheumatism was 11.0%(35/319).Soft tissue rheumatism was more prevalent in females(24,68.6%)than in males(11,31.4%).The most common form of soft‐tissue rheumatism diagnosed was adhesive capsulitis(20.0%),closely followed by rotator cuff tendinitis(14.3%),carpal tunnel syndrome(14.3%),and plantar fasciitis(14.3%).Age(p=0.06),body mass index(p=0.034),and dyslipidemia(p=0.028)were significantly associated with the prevalence of soft‐tissue rheumatism.A significant disability index(HAQ‐DI≥1)was recorded in 40.0%of participants with soft tissue rheumatism.Twelve(34.3%)participants with soft‐tissue rheumatism attributed the disorder to their work,and 74.3%used hospital‐prescribed medications for treatment.Conclusion:Soft‐tissue rheumatism is associated with a significant disability affecting activities of daily living.Factors associated with its prevalence include increasing age and obesity.