prevalence and the determinants of musculoskeletal diseases in emiratis attending primary health care clinics in Dubai

Objectives: To estimate the prevalence of rheumatic diseases in the Emiratis attending primary health care [PHC] clinics in Dubai. The secondary objective was to study the relationship between age, gender, and body mass index [BMI] and rheumatic diseases in the general population

Methods: The Prevalence of Rheumatic Diseases and Osteoporosis [PRO] in Dubai study was a cross-sectional study, which randomly enrolled Emiratis' aged between 18-85 years old who attended one of 13 PHC clinics between 2 January 2009 and 31 December 2009. Demographic and health data for all participants was obtained via a questionnaire. Participants that indicated positive answers had their responses validated by a rheumatologist and underwent a thorough locomotor examination

Results: The study included 3,985 participants with a mean age of 42.1 +/- 15.8 years. The majority [77.4%] were female. Lower back pain was the most prevalent problem in our study population [32.9%]. Knee osteoarthritis [OA] was the most common form of arthritis seen in our cohort [25.8%]. Overall, the prevalence of inflammatory arthritis was 3.1%. Age and BMI were associated with increased risk of knee OA and lower back pain

Conclusions: Rheumatic diseases are quite common in Emirati patients attending PHC clinics. Lower back pain and knee OA were the most common musculoskeletal diseases seen in our cohort. There is a need for more populationbased studies in the Middle East to have a better understanding of the epidemiology of rheumatic diseases in this region

Behcet's disease associated with hyperthyroidism: case report and review of literature

Behcet's Disease is a multi-system, chronic inflammatory disorder characterized by chronic relapsing course. Its principal manifestations are oral and genital ulcers as well as inflammation of the eyes, skin and joints, while vascular and neurological complications may results in death. The etiology and pathogenesis of the disease are still obscure and specific treatment is not available. We report the case history of a patient with Behcet's Disease. He presented with fever, arthritis and weight loss of 3-week duration. He was also found to have hyperthyroidism, extra-pulmonary tuberculosis, and strongyloidiasis. Although, the association between thyroid diseases and auto-immune connective tissue disorders as well as tuberculosis is well recognized, there had been, to the best of our knowledge, no reports of Behcet's Disease associated with thyroid dysfunction. However, further studies are required to investigate any association between Behcet's Disease and thyroid dysfunction