The purpose of this study was to characterize ambulatory medical care visits among persons with arthritis and other rheumatic conditions, the leading cause of disability. The National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NAMCS) and the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NHAMCS) collect annual data on the utilization of ambulatory medical care 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. In 1997, there were an estimated 959.3 million ambulatory care visits, of which almost 44 million (4.6%) were related to arthritis and other rheumatic conditions. These visits were more likely to be made by females (62.7%), white persons (81.9%), non-Hispanic persons (71.6%) and persons aged 25-64 years (62.7%). More than one-quarter of arthritis-related visits were for osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and unspecified myalgia/myositis. About half (50.8%) of the office visits for arthritis were made to general/family physicians or internists, while an additional 14.4% were to rheumatologists. Counseling or education related to exercise, diet/nutrition and injury prevention were provided at 19.0%, 8.4% and 2.9% of office and outpatient department visits respectively. 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.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session the listener will be able to: 1.) Define arthritis and other rheumatic conditions 2.) Describe the distribution of ambulatory medical care visits in the US among persons with arthritis and other rheumatic conditions
Keywords: Ambulatory Care, Arthritis
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.