The study aimed to estimate prevalence of self-reported arthritis or rheumatism and associated factors. This was a cross-sectional population-based study in Florianopolis, Santa Catarina State, Brazil, with 1,720 adults ranging from 20 to 59 years of age. Presence of self-reported arthritis or rheumatism was analyzed with a hierarchical approach, considering demographic, socioeconomic, and beha...

Interest in the rheumatic diseases has much increased during the last ten or twelve years. Articular rheumatism has, however, received more attention than the non-articular forms, because the former may take a more dramatic course and often result in disablement. Fibrositis is a term applied to several different kinds of rheumatism in the soft tissues; we are in doubt as to the cause of many of...