Pattern of rheumatologic and musculoskeletal disorders and their awareness among patients attending rheumatology clinic

This study was plan to assess the pattern of rheumatologic and musculoskeletal disorders and their awareness among patients attending newly started rheumatology clinic at Santosh medical college and hospital, Ghaziabad. All patients with age 15 years and above with rheumatological diagnosis were included in the study. Detailed history and physical examination done and information regarding the awareness about rheumatological branch, diseases and the commonly used medications were recorded. Out of first 500 cases 39% cases were found of inflammatory joint diseases followed by 22.8% cases of degenerative joint diseases, 15% cases of soft tissue rheumatism, 13.6% cases were of metabolic bone diseases, 8.8% cases of infection related arthritis and only 0.8% cases were of benign hypermobility syndrome (BJHS). Among all parameters, awareness about calcium was maximum (42.52%), followed by awareness for vitamin D (23.68%), NSAIDs awareness (21.36%). Awareness about rheumatology branch was 12.32%. Co morbidities were present in 37.4% of cases. Hypertension (7.6%), anaemia (7%), hypothyroidism (6%), diabetes (5.6%), obesity (2.6%), dyslipidaemia (2.4%), vitamin B 12 deficiency (2.4%) and metabolic syndrome in 2.2% cases. We conclude that inflammatory joint diseases are most common in a specialised rheumatology clinic, followed by degenerative joint and spine diseases, soft tissue rheumatism, and metabolic bone diseases. Patients need more and more public awareness programme to increase their knowledge towards the rheumatology branch and commonly used medicines. Training programmes in rheumatology for physicians should be started at each institution.