The prevalence of RA in the general adult population of Greece is similar to that in many other European countries; early consultation with a rheumatologist and DMARD combination therapy are associated with a better RA outcome.

These findings suggest that rheumatic diseases constitute a major public health problem and should be considered in planning undergraduate and postgraduate medical education, research and health-care services.

OBJEcTIVE: In this cross-sectional epidemiologic study we examined the association between type 2 diabetes mellitus and demographic, clinical, and socioeconomic parameters in large rural, urban and suburban populations of adult Greeks. DEsIGN: Of the total target adult population (≥19 years, n=14233) in nine selected geographical regions covering rural, suburban, and urban areas of Greece, 10,647 subjects were included in the study. Data were collected by physicians who interviewed subjects at their homes between 1996 and 1999. rEsULTs: A total of 8740 subjects participated (response rate 82.1%). Among participants there were 360 subjects with type 2 diabetes. Multivariate logistic regression analysis after adjustment for factors associated with type 2 DM in univariate analyses including occupation, education level, place of residence, and number of persons living together demonstrated that advancing age, obesity-but not overweight status-and smoking in the past were associated with higher odds of type 2 diabetes. Moreover, low socioeconomic status was associated with type 2 diabetes independently of the effects of age, obesity, and smoking. cONcLUsIONs: In large representative rural, urban, and suburban populations of adult Greeks, type 2 Diabetes was associated with advancing age, obesity, exposure to smoke, and low socioeconomic status.

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