Prevalence of joint pain and swelling complaints among children of Bashkortostan Republic according to an epidemiological examination

Abstract

Objective. To study prevalence of joint pain and swelling among children of Bashkortostan republic (BR). Material and methods. A questionnaire study was conducted in 2 cities and 4 country districts of BR. A questionnaire developed by the Institute of rheumatology of RAMS and adapted for children was used. 43907 children aged 0 to 17 years were included. Results. 5490 children and/or their parents (12,5%) reported joint pain, 754 children (1,7%) - swelling. In general pain and swelling were revealed in 5533 children (12,6%). Joint pain and swelling prevalence was higher in urban than in country population. Joint pain predominated in girls, swelling - in boys. Swelling and pain frequency increased with age. It reached maximum by adolescence (12-17 years) but differences in joint pain frequency between children aged 12 to 14 and 15 to 17 were not statistically significant. Conclusion. Joint complaints (pain and/or swelling) are quite frequent among children and adolescents (12,6%). At present the second phase of the study is being conducted: advanced clinical, laboratory and instrumental examination of children having joint symptoms.

Keywords

• questionnaire study
• joint pain and swelling
• children
• bashkortostan republic