ARTHRITIS IN AN EARLY 20TH-CENTURY GERIATRIC POPULATION

ARTHRITIS IN AN EARLY 20TH-CENTURY GERIATRIC POPULATION

Rothschild B M; Woods R J

Age

1991

1991-01

Bone and joint alterations were characterized in the skeletons of 498 individuals age 64+ who died in Northeast Ohio between 1913 and 1933. Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis, rare in young individuals, was found in 27% of men over age 65, compared with only 5% of women (Chi square = 21.1, p < 0.0005), independent of race. Osteoarthritis was present in 41% of Blacks but only 24% of Caucasians (Chi square = 11.3, p < 0.001), independent of sex. Rheumatoid arthritis was present in 4.4% of women and 0.7% of men (Chi square = 7.32, p < 0.008), independent of race. This 6:1 ratio contrasted with the 3:1 ratio among individuals < 65. Spondyloarthropathy was equally represented in all groups. Calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease, equally represented by race and sex, increased logarithmically with age. This unique population survey provides new insights to rheumatologic impact on aging and should facilitate health care planning.

crystal deposition disease; Geriatrics & Gerontology; pyrophosphate

Journal Article

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