Low prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis in Black-Caribbeans compared with whites in inner city Manchester

ABSTRACT

OJECTIVES- to compare the prevalence of rheumatoid arthtitis (RA) in Black-Caribbeans and whites living in the same urban area. METHODS- cases of inflammatory joint disease were ascertained initially from a postal screening survey of 1851 blacks and 1829 age and sex-matched non-Blacks identified from general practices in the Moss Side and Hulme districts of Manchester. The ethnicity of the respondents was confirmed using data from a postal screening questionnaire. Those reporting joint swelling or a history of arthritis were reviewed by a rheumatologist at surgeries held in each practice. The clinical records of the questionnaire non-responders and questionnaire-positive non-attenders at surgery were reviewed. RESULTS- in an adjusted denominator population of 1046 Black-Caribbeans and 997 whites, the cumulative prevalence of RA was 2.9/1000 in Black-Caribbeans and 8/1000 in whites, representing a prevalence in Black Caribbeans of 0.36 times that found in whites (95 percent confidence interval 0.1-1.3). CONCLUSIONS- rheumatoid arthritis occurs less commonly in Black-Caribbeans than in Whites. The findings are consistent with published studies showing a low RA prevalence in rural black populations (AU)