[Epidemiology of rheumatic complaints in Germany. Data on the prevalence and physical and psychosocial disability]

Because of their considerable socioeconomic costs rheumatic symptoms are a major concern in industrialized nations. Our study provides data on the prevalence of rheumatic symptoms in the general population and on their physical and psychosocial impact. We performed a survey of 1814 randomly selected non institutionalized persons, aged 40 to 69 years, living in the Federal Republic of Germany. The selected subjects were asked whether they had pain in one or more of the following sites: neck/back, joints of upper extremities, joints of lower extremities. Physical and psychosocial disability was assessed using a multidimensional questionnaire that included a German version of the Arthritis Impact Measurement Scales (AIMS) and validated instruments concerning psychosocial dimensions of health status. The prevalence of rheumatic symptoms increases between 40 and 59 years and decreases thereafter. Rheumatic symptoms are more frequent in women than in men. The predominant pain localization is the back. Individuals reporting pain in one region (back, upper and lower extremities) often feel pain in other areas as well and often suffer from additional symptoms such as weakness and sleep disturbance. We found significant disabilities in physical (mobility, activities of daily living, physical activities) and psychosocial (depression, anxiety, exhaustion, family problems) dimensions of health status in subjects reporting rheumatic symptoms.