Rubella arthritis. An outbreak in Kyoto.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the incidence of arthritis in patients with rubella in an Asian compared to a Western setting.

METHODS

During a widespread outbreak of rubella in Kyoto, Japan, 29 patients with rubella who visited a general medical clinic in that city were investigated for arthritic symptoms.

RESULTS

Among 9 women with rubella infection, 3 (33%) had acute polyarthritis. Among 20 men with the infection, 2 (10%) had arthritis. Of the 5 patients who developed rubella arthritis, 4 were over 18 years old. Recurrence of arthritis was not seen in any individuals.

CONCLUSION

The high incidence of arthritis observed among adult women was consistent with that of earlier reports from Western countries.