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Aim: The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in the eastern Black Sea region of Turkey. Method: The study was carried out between March 2003 and March 2005 by the Karadeniz Technical University Medical Faculty Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation in the urban area in the eastern Black Sea region of Turkey, which has a population of 459 021 (according to the 2000 national census). A total of 6103 subjects, 20 years old or over, were selected by the sampling method; 3023 (49.5%) women and 3080 (50.5%) men were included in the study. The diagnosis of RA was performed based on fulfilling the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria. Results: Fifty-nine patients were diagnosed with RA according to the ACR criteria, of which 11 were male and 48 female. The prevalence of RA was 1% (95% CI: 0.75-1.25) in the general population, 1.6% (95% CI: 1.15-2.05) in women and 0.35% (95% CI: 0.14-0.56) in men. The female/male ratio was 4.3 : 1.0, showing that RA prevalence was statistically significantly higher in women ( P < 0.005). Conclusion: Our study demonstrates that RA is a common disease in Turkish society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) in women aged 18–55 years in Trabzon city, Turkey, and to evaluate associated demographic variables. Methods: A total of 1100 women, eligible study subjects, were selected. Of those, 1045 subjects participated in the screening phase. The screening protocol included several interview items that have been defined as components of the FMS. Subjects were also asked questions on demographics. Individuals screening positive were invited to be examined by a physician to confirm or exclude FMS using the 1990 American College of Rheumatology Classification Criteria (ACR). Results: The overall prevalence of FMS was found to be 5.6%. The prevalence of FM is highest in the 50–55 years age group (9.3%). Using logistic regression analysis, being part of an extended family, oral contraceptive use and stressors increased the risk of FMS, while a family income of $3000–3999 decreased it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]