The British Journal of General Practice (BJGP) has reported research showing how the prevalence of disease has changed over a period of ten years.

The study carried out a population-based analysis of patients visiting thirty-eight general practices set in England and Wales. The annual prevalence of diseases was reported in the Weekly Returns Service (WRS) of the Royal College of General Practitioners in 2001.

The data was compared with Morbidity Statistics from General Practice, Fourth National Study, a major practice-based survey conducted throughout England and Wales in 1991.

The survey revealed a general reduction in the prevalence of disease caused by infection and an increase of degenerative disorders. The incidence of mental disorders, skin diseases and musculoskeletal disorders showed little change.

Particular increases were also noted for other malignant and benign neoplasms of the skin, hypothyroidism, hypertension and diabetes. In addition, the survey showed there were marked reductions for disorders of the conjunctiva, ear infections, acute myocardial infarction and heart failure, obesity, respiratory infections and injuries.

Dr Douglas Fleming from the Birmingham Research Unit of the Royal College of General Practitioners and co-author of the study, said: "It is important to know about changes in the prevalence of disease because increasing prevalence needs to be explained, particularly if the population is suffering from an unrecognized threat. It is also important because prescribing and hospital utilization data needs to be interpreted in the light of what is presented to doctors in primary care."

Douglas M Fleming, Kenneth W Cross and Michele A Barley, "Recent changes in the prevalence of diseases presenting for health care" BJGP August 2005; 55: 589-595.

The BJGP is published monthly and distributed to over 22,000 RCGP members, associates, and subscribers in more than 40 countries worldwide. Its primary purpose is to publish first-rate, peer reviewed research papers on topics relevant to primary care.

The Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) is the largest membership organisation in the United Kingdom solely for GPs. It aims to encourage and maintain the highest standards of general medical practice and to act as the "voice" of GPs on issues concerned with education, training, research, and clinical standards. Founded in 1952, the RCGP has over 22,500 members who are committed to improving patient care, developing their own skills and promoting general practice as a discipline. rcgp

Copies, for journalists, of the above and all papers appearing in the August BJGP are available on request from Naomi Coleman or Jacqueline Blissett on: 020 7344 3135.