[Chronic rheumatic symptoms and diseases: a representative longitudinal study based on data of the general local health insurance fund of Dortmund].

In a representative diachronous study, findings concerning the prevalence of utilisation of medical services by patients who chronically suffer from rheumatism, as well as the amount of X-ray diagnoses and temporary disablement of those patients are presented. In order to make this study, personal data of the local statutory health insurance fund of the city of Dortmund (a 5% random sample of insured in 1988) was collected. Diseases and complaints of the rheumatic variety are a frequent reason for the utilisation of out-patient medical services: 38.8% of the insured of the random sample (2513 out of 6478 insured of the random sample) were under medical treatment in 1988 because of rheumatic complaints. The study refers to the unselected totality of patients of established doctors, which means that it refers to all phases of the illness. The chronicity of the rheumatic complaints is investigated by means of an operational definition which aims at the continuity of treatment. 18.9% of the insured suffered from chronic rheumatic complaints. Vertebral syndromes and degenerative joint diseases represent the majority of chronic rheumatic complaints. 50% of the patients suffering from chronic rheumatism were X-rayed at least once a year; younger ones more frequently than the older ones. The percentage of rheumatic patients suffering from rheumatism who are at least once a year temporarily disabled does not vary with regard to the age-group; one can however state: the older the patients are, the longer does sick-leave per annum last.