LOW-PREVALENCE OF RHEUMATOID-ARTHRITIS IN BLACK-CARIBBEAN COMPARED WITH WHITES IN INNER-CITY MANCHESTER

Objective-To compare the prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in Bl ack-Caribbeans and Whites living in the same rban area. Methods-Cases of inflammatory joint disease were ascertained initially from a postal screening survey of 1851 Black and 1829 age and sex-matched non-Black s identified from general practice age-sex registers of seven general practices in the Moss Side and Hulme districts of Manchester. The ethn icity of respondents was confirmed using data from a postal screening questionnaire. Those reporting joint swelling or a history of arthriti s were reviewed by a rheumatologist at surgeries held in each practice . The clinical records of the questionnaire non-responders and questio nnaire-positive non-attenders at surgery were reviewed. Results-In an adjusted denominator population of 1046 Black-Caribbeans and 997 White s, the cumulative prevalence of RA was 2.9/1000 in Black-Caribbeans an d 8/1000 in Whites, representing a prevalence in Black-Caribbeans of 0 .36 times that found in Whites (95% confidence interval 0.1-1.3). Conc lusions-Rheumatoid arthritis occurs less commonly in Black-Caribbeans than in Whites. The findings are consistent with published studies sho wing a low BA prevalence in rural African Black populations.