[Physician consultation and use of drugs for rheumatic symptoms].

Between May 1986 and November 1987 we asked 4037 randomly sampled 25-74 year old german residents at Hannover (FRG) by a mailed questionnaire for back, neck and joint pain, for joint swelling and morning stiffness. Further we asked for the consultation of a physician during the past 12 months and for the use of drugs during the past 7 days because of rheumatoid complaints. 3426 members of the sample (85%) returned the questionnaire.