Prevalence of self-reported rheumatic diseases in a Portuguese population

With this study we attempted to estimate the prevalence of self-reported rheumatic diseases in a Portuguese population. It was also our objective to evaluate the influence of the variables sex and age on the prevalence of these diseases.

The study population was comprised of 297 individuals from a total of 573 random telephone numbers selected from the city of Lisbon telephone book (landline/residents). Those 297 were the ones that agreed to answer the proposed questionnaire.

The prevalence value of self-reported rheumatic diseases was 26.3%. A prevalence value of self-declared osteoarthritis of 21.2% was found, 7.7% for osteoporosis, 1.3% for rheumatoid arthritis and 0.3% each for gout, systemic lupus erythematosus, Behçet's disease and fibromyalgia. An association with the variables sex and age was achieved for the total of rheumatic diseases. The same association was obtained for osteoarthritis and osteoporosis.

This study emphasizes the good self- -judgment that the inquired population has about their rheumatic diseases, and some of the obtained results are in agreement with the national and worldwide literature.