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This study was conducted to examine the condition of patients with arthritis and its related factors. Data were collected from 100 people who suffered from arthritis in Seoul, Busan, Daegu, Daejun, Juruoo, and Pohang from April 2, 2000 to July 31, 2000. The results of this study are summarized as follows 1. 61.0% of the subjects were female. The incidence rate of arthritis was higher in the higher age group, lower educated group, and thinner group. In case of male, the incidence rate was higher in the groups of single, residents in big cities, and technicians. In case of female, it was higher in the groups of the married, residents in towns or villages, and housewives. 2. According to the parts of arthritis, knee joint covered 67.4% and backspine joint covered 9.0%. The incidence rate of arthritis was higher in the groups of forties, housewives, single, irreligious people, residents in towns and villages, primary school graduates, thin people, and walk exercisers. 3. The arthritis patients felt pain most when they stood up (31.5%). According to the time when they felt pain most, the time when they were active during daytime was 31.5% and nighttime was 29.8%. When they got up in the morning was 22.4%, while 10.9% felt pain all day long. 4. They had arthralgia knees and cramp in crook of the knees (21.8%). Their knees ticked when they moved (21,1%). They had to rest hands on anyplace when they stood up (18.7%) and they could not completely unfold their knees. 5. The medical institutions which diagnosed them showed significant difference in the variables of sex, age, marital status, religion, place in residence, education level, economic status, obesity level, exercise, parts of arthritis, and posture of feeling pain. From above results, it can be concluded that it is necessary to develop appropriate medical treatment on the basis of the respondents socio-democraphic characteristics, pain parts, period of having a pain, satisfaction level with treatment and its related factors. Therefore, related professionals and organizations must develop education program for prevention of arthritis in order to educate them.
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