Prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis and musculoskeletal diseases in the elderly population

The prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and musculoskeletal diseases wa s determined in a random sample of 1,317 people aged 65, 75, 80, and 85 yea rs. Detailed clinical examinations were carried out in 1989-1990, A total o f 6 men and 18 women (1.8% together) fulfilled the 1987 American College of Rheumatology criteria for RA. The prevalence of RA was highest (2.4%) in s ubjects aged 65 years and tended to decline with age. No RA cases were foun d in men aged 80 years or more. The prevalence of musculoskeletal diseases, defined as lack of an extremity or restriction of mobility in a joint or t he spine, was high, reaching up to 49% in the highest age group.