Characteristics of chronic arthritis and other rheumatic condition-related ambulatory care visits, united states, 1997

PURPOSE: To characterize ambulatory medical care visits among persons with arthritis and other rheumatic conditions, the leading cause of disability. METHODS: The 1997 National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NAMCS) and National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NHAMCS) collect annual data on the utilization of ambulatory medical services provided by non-federal office-based physicians and hospital outpatient and emergency departments. Arthritis-related visits were defined using a predetermined set of ICD9-CM diagnostic codes developed by an expert panel and designed to include all potential diagnoses for arthritis and other rheumatic conditions. Visits related to acute conditions such as injuries were not included. National estimates and rates of arthritis-related ambulatory care visits were calculated by age, race, and sex groups. RESULTS: In 1997, there were an estimated 959.3 million ambulatory care visits, of which over 38 million (4.0%) were related to arthritis and other rheumatic conditions. Arthritis-related visits were more likely to be made by females (65.4%), white persons (82.2%), non-Hispanic persons (72.7%) and persons aged 25–64 years (61.9%). More than one-third of arthritis-related visits were for osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and unspecified myalgia/myositis. About half (50.2%) of the office visits for arthritis were made to general/family physicians or internists, while an additional 16.2% were to rheumatologists. Counseling or education related to exercise, diet/nutrition and injury prevention were provided at 18.9%, 9.2% and 2.2% of office and outpatient department visits respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Arthritis and other rheumatic conditions are common conditions associated with ambulatory medical care. These results suggest missed opportunities for counseling patients regarding public health prevention messages for arthritis, including increasing moderate physical activity, weight management and injury prevention.