[Prospective epidemiological study of rheumatism in the Irkutsk Region]

The changes in the prevalence and primary incidence of rheumatism in the region were analyzed by the epidemiological surveys and notifications made in 1961 to 1994. During this period, the primary incidence rates showed a 70-fold decrease, mainly due to those among females and children. The paper presents changes in the pattern of risk factors of rheumatism and defines the prevalence decrease rate of rheumatism in three follow-up periods. A comprehensive rehabilitation programme for rheumatic patients has been worked out.