[Population epidemiologic evaluation of the Hannover Mobile Rheumatoid Health Service]

The aim of the study was the evaluation of a potential selection process for patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) referred to the Mobile Service for Rheumatics in Hannover (MSRH). The MSRH is the only referral center for patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases in Hannover. A comparison of the health status was made between 58 individuals with RA identified in a population study, and 103 RA patients from the MSRH. The following disease parameters were less favorable in the clinical group: duration of morning stiffness, functional capacity, number of swollen joints, rheumatoid factor, ESR, disease activity, and classical RA according to the Rome-criteria. Only 22% of the individuals with RA identified in the population study have been referred to the MSRH. These patients more frequently had definite or classical RA (statistically not significant: p = 0.17, p = 0.11, respectively). It was shown that the clinical group comprised more severe RA cases. Thus, data from such patients may not be generalized for the entire group of RA cases in the population.