Epidemiology of rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis and gout in two regions of the Czech Republic in a descriptive population-based survey in 2002-2003.

OBJECTIVE To estimate the annual incidence and prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), juvenile arthritis (JIA) and gout in a population based study in two regions of the Czech Republic with total population of 186,000 inhabitants. METHODS The study was conducted in the Town of Ceske Budejovice and district of Cheb in the Czech Republic (with a total population of 186,000 inhabitants) in the years 2002 and 2003. Incident cases were registered on condition that the definite diagnosis was confirmed according to existing classification criteria during the study period. Prevalence was studied on the basis of identification of established diagnosis from registers of patients of participating rheumatologists and other specialists. They were asked to report all living patients who had been diagnosed before 1st March 2002. Patients were only included in the study if their permanent address was in the selected study area. RESULTS Overall, we found 48 incident and 947 prevalent cases of RA among adults (16+ years), 4 incident and 43 prevalent cases of JIA among children (less than 16 years old), and 64 incident and 425 prevalent cases of gout among adults (16+ years). The total annual incidence of RA was 31/100,000 in the adult population aged 16 years and more (95% CI 20 to 42/100,000). The prevalence of RA was 610/100,000 (95% CI 561 to 658/100,000) in the adult population. An annual incidence of gout in adults was 41/100,000 (95% CI 28 to 53/100,000). The prevalence of gout was 300/100,000 (95% CI 266 to 334/100,000). The annual incidence of JIA was 13/100,000 in children less than 16 years old (95%CI 1 to 20/100,000). The prevalence of JIA in children was 140/100,000 (95% CI 117 to 280/100,000). CONCLUSION This study estimates the annual incidence and prevalence rates of RA, gout and JIA in the first population-based survey in the Czech Republic. The rates of RA and JIA compare well with figures reported from other countries; figures in gout seem to be lower than reported elsewhere.