[Epidemiology of rheumatoid arthritis in middle-aged and elderly population in Luohe City, Henan Province].

Objective: To explore the local prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) among the middle-aged and elderly population.

Methods: A total of 8610 residents were recruited for a two-stage cluster sampling survey through a questionnaire of RA according to 2010 ACR/EULAR classification criteria. Physical examinations and blood tests were performed.

Results: The responding rate was 96.10%. Joint score 0, 1, 2, 3, 5 was detected in 13.62%, 7.57%, 2.79%, 1.87% and 0.23% of subjects. The prevalence of joint score 0, 1, 2, 3, 5 was 13.62%, 7.57%, 2.79%, 1.87% and 0.23%. The rate was 17.48% and 14.27% for elevated levels of erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP), 6.62%, 1.96% and 5.48%, 1.55% for low titer and high titer rheumatoid factor (RF) and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) positive antibody. And 63 RA cases were confirmed. The crude prevalence was 0.76% and 0.71% for standardized prevalence. Compared to males, females had a higher prevalence of RA (1.02% vs 0.39%, P < 0.01). In the population, the awareness rate was 74.60%, cure rate 71.43% and control rate 18.57% respectively.

Conclusion: The local prevalence of RA in elderly females is higher than that in males. And the treatment and awareness rates are also low.