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Flow chart showing the search results for cross-sectional studies on the prevalence of arthritis in Africa from 1975 to July 2014.
Source publication
Objective:
In this systematic review, we estimate the prevalence of six types of arthritis in Africa; namely rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, juvenile arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, gout, and ankylosing spondylitis.
Methods:
We comprehensively searched literature on 31 August 2014 in MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science and the Cochrane Library...
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This paper gives prominence to rural children’s accounts of their journey to school. Twelve children (male = 6; female = 6) from three different rural villages in Lesotho participated in the study. Individual and focus group interviews were used to generate data, and these were preceded by three participatory research techniques: family drawings, r...
Citations
... We included 05 articles, of which 03 were casecontrol studies, 01 cohort study and 01 case report. The publications came from South Africa (2), Cameroon (1), Mauritus (1) and Tunisia (1). The data extracted from the original studies are summarized in Table 1. ...
Uric acid metabolism, and more specifically its biosynthesis and elimination, are regulated primarily by genetic mechanisms. Genetic studies are therefore vital in providing a better understanding and use of this molecule in the prevention and management of the diseases with which it is associated, taking into account the diversity of populations. In Africa, there are several studies on uric acid and gout, but genetic knowledge specific to the continent's populations is still poorly understood and needs to be summarized in order to present the state of research and provide prospects for its improvement and future directions. The aim of this study was to assess the contribution of African authors to genetic studies carried out in Africa on uric acid, gout and related disorders.
... 8 According to this research paper, the most commonly observed joint disease is rheumatoid arthritis, which contradicts the findings of other published papers in the medical literature that state that osteoarthritis is the most prevalent arthritis disease. [8][9][10][11][12][13] The reason for this discrepancy is that in our study, most osteoarthritis cases were treated by orthopaedic doctors. The average age of patients diagnosed with joint diseases corresponds to the age ranges reported in medical literature. ...
Background The ongoing conflict in Syria has significantly affected the health care system, particularly in the realm of rheumatology. The purpose of this study is to assess the current state of rheumatic diseases in the northwestern region of Syria, where the health care infrastructure has been severely impacted.
Methods This was a retrospective study reviewing all patients with rheumatologic conditions seen in internal medicine clinics in northwest Syria between September 2019 and February 2022. Baseline demographic data and diagnoses were collected retrospectively, without any data duplication, from outpatient clinic records. The study also reviewed the availability of investigations and drugs in the northwestern region of Syria.
Results We analyzed data from 488 patients (average age: 37.4; 63% female) diagnosed with rheumatic diseases. The most prevalent condition was connective tissue disorders (25.6%), with osteoarthritis (12.1%) and rheumatoid arthritis (8.2%) following. The ongoing conflict has led to a significant shortage of rheumatologists, with only three serving a population of 5.5 million. Furthermore, the conflict has disrupted the provision and quality of rheumatology diagnostic tests, reducing patient accessibility. The dearth of medications and increased costs have compounded the complexity of health care for those with rheumatic diseases.
Conclusions This study highlights the urgent need for improved health care services and proposes solutions to address gaps in rheumatic care in northwest Syria.
... We searched PubMed and Web of Science for articles that included the terms 'South Africa' and 'multimorbidity'. Studies were also identified by examining reference lists of recent systematic reviews in South Africa of multimorbidity, 35 diabetes, 32 arthritis, 25 TB, 29 COPD, 40 and stroke and coronary heart disease. 33 Studies were included if they reported the prevalence of at least two of the ten listed conditions, as well as the proportions of people with any combination of two conditions, in BMJ Global Health adults or predominantly adult groups. ...
Background
The development of strategies to better detect and manage patients with multiple long-term conditions requires estimates of the most prevalent condition combinations. However, standard meta-analysis tools are not well suited to synthesising heterogeneous multimorbidity data.
Methods
We developed a statistical model to synthesise data on associations between diseases and nationally representative prevalence estimates and applied the model to South Africa. Published and unpublished data were reviewed, and meta-regression analysis was conducted to assess pairwise associations between 10 conditions: arthritis, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), depression, diabetes, HIV, hypertension, ischaemic heart disease (IHD), stroke and tuberculosis. The national prevalence of each condition in individuals aged 15 and older was then independently estimated, and these estimates were integrated with the ORs from the meta-regressions in a statistical model, to estimate the national prevalence of each condition combination.
Results
The strongest disease associations in South Africa are between COPD and asthma (OR 14.6, 95% CI 10.3 to 19.9), COPD and IHD (OR 9.2, 95% CI 8.3 to 10.2) and IHD and stroke (OR 7.2, 95% CI 5.9 to 8.4). The most prevalent condition combinations in individuals aged 15+ are hypertension and arthritis (7.6%, 95% CI 5.8% to 9.5%), hypertension and diabetes (7.5%, 95% CI 6.4% to 8.6%) and hypertension and HIV (4.8%, 95% CI 3.3% to 6.6%). The average numbers of comorbidities are greatest in the case of COPD (2.3, 95% CI 2.1 to 2.6), stroke (2.1, 95% CI 1.8 to 2.4) and IHD (1.9, 95% CI 1.6 to 2.2).
Conclusion
South Africa has high levels of HIV, hypertension, diabetes and arthritis, by international standards, and these are reflected in the most prevalent condition combinations. However, less prevalent conditions such as COPD, stroke and IHD contribute disproportionately to the multimorbidity burden, with high rates of comorbidity. This modelling approach can be used in other settings to characterise the most important disease combinations and levels of comorbidity.
... Patients suffering from gonarthrosis most often report difficulties in performing activities of daily living (ADL), with a decrease in physical activity (PA) and a significant deterioration in quality of life. 4, 5 The management of gonarthrosis is based on pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments. The latest OARSI (3,6) recommendations for the appropriate management of gonarthrosis with or without co-morbidities call for interventions based on physical exercise in land or water. ...
Background : Gonarthrosis is a major cause of pain and locomotor disability worldwide. Regular exercise is recommended in gonarthrosis. There may be factors influencing the level of physical activity in gonarthrosis patients. Objective: Our aim was to determine the predictive factors of the level of physical activity (PA) in patients with gonarthrosis in the city of Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso).This study will serve as a starting point for offering adapted PA to gonarthrosis patients. Methods : This was a cross-sectional, descriptive and analytical study based on clinical records, conducted from January 9 to 27, 2023. Using the International Physical Activity Scale (IPAS), we assessed the level of PA in patients followed at CHU-Bogodogo for gonarthrosis. The PA level was assessed once during the first consultation for gonarthrosis rehabilitation, before the start of the physiotherapy sessions. The significance threshold p<0.05 was retained. Results: Sixty-seven patients were included. Fifty-six were women (83.58%). The mean age was 59.87± 12.53 years. Gonarthrosis patients had a moderate level of PA, with a mean IPAS score equal to 635.24±135 MET-minutes/week. In bivariate analysis, low PA was associated with age over 65 [OR=5.62, (CI=1.45-21.73), p<0.001], hypertension [OR=2.83, (CI=1.27-6.31), p<0.001], diabetes [OR=2.14, (CI=1.13-5.89), p<0.031], and overweight [OR=2.43, (CI=1.17-6.12), p<0.026]. Moderate PA was associated with age under 65 [OR=1.71, (CI=1.25-2.34), p<0.005] and absence of hypertension [OR=1.86, (CI=1.19-2.89), p<0.012]. Conclusion : Gonarthrosis patients have a moderate level of PA. Factors associated with low PA were advanced age and sedentary comorbidities.
... Từ năm 2010 đến năm 2012, 52,5 triệu người Mỹ được chẩn đoán mắc bệnh thoái hóa khớp, con số đó tương ứng với khoảng 22,7% người trưởng thành [1]. Trong khi ở Nam Phi, gánh nặng dân số do bệnh thoái hóa khớp là đáng kể với khoảng 82,7% người trưởng thành trên 65 tuổi [2]. Hậu quả của gánh nặng này là người cao tuổi phải đối mặt với những hạn chế đáng kể trong hoạt động sinh hoạt hàng ngày, điều này ảnh hưởng xấu đến chất lượng cuộc sống của họ. ...
Mục tiêu: Nghiên cứu này nhằm xác định một số yếu tố liên quan đến chức năng thể chất ở bệnh nhân cao tuổi có thoái hóa khớp gối. Phương pháp: Nghiên cứu mô tả cắt ngang. Chức năng thể chất được đánh giá bởi chỉ số thoái hóa xương khớp của Đại học Western Ontario và McMaster (WOMAC), Test đứng lên và đi (TUG). Kết quả: Điểm chức năng thể chất trung bình WOMAC cao hơn ở nhóm người tuổi cao hơn, nhóm sống với người người chăm sóc, thừa cân/béo phì hoặc thiếu cân, sử dụng 5 loại thuốc trở lên, có nguy cơ ngã cao. Suy giảm khả năng vận động theo TUG có liên quan đến: tuổi cao, rối loạn giấc ngủ, nguy cơ ngã, mức độ đau, có điều trị thoái hóa khớp gối hay không. Kết luận: Chức năng thể chất ở bệnh nhân cao tuổi thoái hóa khớp gối có liên quan đến tuổi, tình trạng dinh dưỡng, tình trạng chung sống và nguy cơ ngã. Phát hiện sớm tình trạng suy giảm chức năng thể chất ở bệnh nhân cao tuổi thoái hóa khớp gối để có biện pháp phòng ngừa hoặc can thiệp phù hợp.
... These results are comparable to those of Bakriga et al. in Togo [6] who found in their series an average age of 64.5 years with extremes of 39 years and 87 years. These results confirm that knee osteoarthritis is a condition of the elderly; it is unanimously recognized that the prevalence and incidence of knee osteoarthritis increase with age [7,8] . The female predominance found in this series is present in other studies and is consistent with the data in the literature thus affirming that female sex is a risk factor for the occurrence of knee osteoarthritis [9,11]. ...
... On the contrary, reports from rural populations in South Africa (0.0026%) 23 and Nigeria (0%) 24 indicate a very low prevalence or even absence of the disease. 25 Incidence of RA The number of published community-based incidence studies is relatively low compared to those referring to RA prevalence. These studies are problematic to complete as extended periods of population follow-up are needed, while it is challenging for those who rely on medical records to find adequate medical data resources. ...
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a prevalent chronic inflammatory arthritis worldwide, significantly impacting patients and population health. The disease affects women primarily, with a female-to-male ratio of three to one. Its pathogenesis is multifactorial, including genetic and environmental risk factors. Epidemiological studies highlight the link between the environment and genetic susceptibility to RA. The so-called shared epitope is the most significant risk factor that seems to act synergetic with other environmental factors in the disease occurrence. In addition, recent findings suggest a potential role of new substantial environmental factors, such as the observed pollution of the planet’s natural resources, on the susceptibility and progression of the disease. This review summarises the most decisive evidence on epidemiology and genetic, environmental, and lifestyle risk factors for RA. It shows that studying genetic and environmental factors in correlation could lead to prevention strategies that may impact the natural history of the disease.
... 3 Reports from Sub-Sahara Africa are limited, mainly stemming from hospital-based sources. 4 However, a recent review of rheumatic diseases in Africa by Adelowo et al. showed that RA is not rare, with a higher prevalence in North Africa and the Middle East (0.26%) than in West Africa (0.14%), and rarer in the rural regions than in the urban areas. 5 In most hospital-based studies in Nigeria, the prevalence of RA is between 9% and 13%. ...
Introduction
Family physicians are often the first healthcare providers to encounter patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in Nigeria, given the paucity of rheumatology services nationwide. This study aimed to assess and address the knowledge gap regarding RA among family physicians in Nigeria.
Methods
A cross‐sectional survey involving 609 family physicians from all six geopolitical zones of Nigeria was conducted in October 2022. Pre‐intervention questionnaires were administered to assess the participants' knowledge of RA. An investigator‐led PowerPoint presentation on RA was then delivered as an intervention, followed by the same participants completing post‐intervention questionnaires to evaluate knowledge improvement. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Science, version 25.
Results
The mean age of participants was 42 ± 15 years, predominantly male (63.9%). The median pre‐intervention knowledge score was 3.2 (IQR: 2.0–4.5), with 77.0% scoring <5. After the intervention, the median score significantly improved to 7.1 (IQR: 4.3–8.6) ( p = .001), with 62.6% scoring >7. Significant improvements were observed in several knowledge areas where gaps existed pre‐intervention, including the understanding that NSAIDs are not the mainstay of management ( p < .001), the effectiveness of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate ( p < .001), confidence in diagnosing RA ( p = .016), the recognition of joint deformities as a characteristic feature ( p < .001), and the understanding that rheumatoid factor is not definitive for diagnosis ( p < .001).
Conclusion
This study highlights the importance of interventions in closing the knowledge gap about RA diagnosis and management. We recommend the implementation of a comprehensive approach to rheumatology education and services by policymakers.
... There is a need to further focus on patients with ADs in South Africa. 48 Different countries exhibit varying trends in ADs over different periods. These disparities in the temporal trends of ADs among BRICS countries may be attributed to differences in the underlying inflammatory mechanisms and complex interactions between exposure to specific environmental factors and the development of ADs. 14 49 There are several limitations in this study. ...
Background
This study aims to evaluate the long-term trend of prevalence and DALY (disability-adjusted life-year) rate on the age, period and cohort (APC) of the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) country for autoimmune diseases (rheumatoid arthritis (RA), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), multiple sclerosis (MS) and psoriasis).
Methods
The data are sourced from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019, and it uses the Joinpoint regression model to estimate the time trends of autoimmune diseases from 1990 to 2019. Additionally, it employs the Age-Period-Cohort (APC) model to estimate the age, period, and cohort effects from 1990 to 2019.
Results
For 1990 to 2019, the ASPR (age-standardised prevalence rate) of IBD increased significantly for China and South Africa, and decreased significantly for Brazil, India, Russian. The Russian ASPR of MS demonstrated a significantly decreasing trend (average annual percent change=−0.5%, 95% CI −0.6 to −0.5), with the most increased occurring in Brazil at 2009–2014. The cohort effect on DALY rates for Psoriasis displayed an ongoing decreasing trend from the 1929–1933 birth cohort to the 1999–2003 birth cohort. Specifically, the five countries relative risk values (RRs) of DALYs due to RA increased significantly by 7.98, 16.07, 5.98, 3.19, 9.13 times, from 20 to 24 age group to 65 to 69 age group.
Conclusions
The population of the BRICS countries accounts for more than 40% of the global population. And we found that the age effect of various autoimmune diseases is heavily influenced by population ageing.
... among adults aged 65 years and older in an urban setting; with knee OA prevalence of 33.1% (95% CI: 27.70-38.50) among adults aged 35 years and older in a rural setting (Usenbo et al. 2015). However, there is a paucity of data later than 2015 in South Africa. ...
Background
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a long-term condition that causes significant impairment, and because of the increasing prevalence of OA, the demand for arthroplasty will continue to rise. However, the demand will not be matched by availability, because of prioritisation of trauma-related surgeries. Implementing prehabilitation could assist physiotherapists in having an impact on improving access by reducing the length of stay.
Objectives
The aim of our scoping review was to explore, map and identify trends and gaps to better inform the content of a prehabilitation programme.
Method
In our scoping review, studies between 1995 and 2020 were identified and included based on inclusion and exclusion criteria and study methodology described by Arksey and O’Malley. The results were collated and summarised as a narrative synthesis.
Results
A total of 200 articles were identified and exported from four databases of which 48 articles were included in the final analysis. Regarding the efficacy of prehabilitation interventions, 21 studies reported significant results supporting prehabilitation, whereas 11 studies reported non-significant results.
Conclusions
Prehabilitation could be a valuable adjunct in reducing length of hospital stay and improving functional outcomes in adults undergoing total joint replacement.
Clinical implications
The scoping review described the information available on prehabilitation in lower limb arthroplasty patients and could potentially inform the design of a prehabilitation programme suitable for use in the South African public health context.
