Prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders and rheumatic diseases in a Colombian misak indigenous community: a cross-sectional study using COPCORD methodology

Abstract

Introduction

Rheumatic diseases are a frequent cause of disability, deterioration in quality of life, and high health costs. The objective of the study was to estimate the prevalence of rheumatic diseases using COPCORD methodology in the Indigenous Misak people of the Guambia - Cauca reservation, over 18 years of age.

Materials and methods

A community-based cross-sectional study was carried out using systematic random sampling, in 3 stages: (1) selection of participants house by house following the main rural road of each village of the Guambia reservation. (2) Application of the COPCORD questionnaire, Spanish version or version adapted and validated to Wam, Misak language), by standardized bilingual interviewers. (3) Confirmation of the diagnosis was made by rheumatologists with access to all the information. Descriptive statistics were performed.

Results

Of a total of 624 people surveyed, 67% were women, the average age was 44 years, 49.2% had basic primary education, and 79.4% spoke Spanish. Pain in the last 7 days and/or history was reported in 366 respondents (58.6%). One hundred and ninety-two patients received medical evaluation, of which 27 (4.33%) had a diagnosis of rheumatic disease and particularly 21 (3.36%) of rheumatoid arthritis.

Conclusion

The prevalence of rheumatic diseases was lower than reported, however the prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis (3.36%) was higher than that reported in the rest of the country and in other Indigenous communities in Latin America. Rheumatic diseases represent a public health problem and specific information on Indigenous groups is necessary for the design of specific interventions.