COPCORD (Community Oriented Program for Control of Rheumatic Diseases) is a global initiative of the WHO/International League of Associations for Rheumatology (ILAR).

        Under the auspices of ILAR/APLAR, for the first time in India, a COPCORD (Community Oriented Program for control of rheumatic diseases) driven rural population survey was carried out in Village Bhigwan (Pune District) in 1996. The methodology used to extract information is presented, along with some general results. In Stage I Phase I, 6034 villagers (response rate 82%) were screened in 16 days by 21 trained village volunteers. Simultaneously, 774 patients (12.8%) identified completed Phase 2 questionnaire (symptoms and disability) prior to evaluation for diagnosis (Phase 3); limited laboratory workup was carried out. The entire cross-sectional survey was completed in 5 weeks. A pre-planned follow-up program was begun essentially to verify the survey diagnosis, identify new cases, impart health education (Stage II), and attempt control of risk factors (Stage III). A large community and patient data-base was created. As per phase I answers, musculoskeletal/rheumatic ailments were the commonest. The age and sex distribution of “pain at any site” and “symptoms” demonstrated preponderant problems in females, in the age group 25-54 years. In almost one-third of patients, a Symptom-Related-Diagnosis (34%) could be offered while degenerative (29%) and soft-tissue rheumatism disorders (20%) were commonly seen. Inflammatory arthritis (11%), Rheumatoid arthritis (4%) in particular, was seen in significant and unexpected proportions. Well defined reactive arthritis, tropical forms of arthritis (e.g. TB, Leprosy etc) and connective tissue disorders were not evident.

        The Indian COPCORD study is a “fast-track-model”. Unlike the previous COPCORD studies, this is an ongoing long term longitudinal observational study, and is in its tenth year running.

Using a similar model, a resurvey was completed in 1999 – 2000 to validate the initial survey results.
The Bhigwan data has been extensively presented and published.

        The WHO – ILAR COPCORD Bhigwan (India) model has been adopted for the ‘Population Based Multiregional Urban Survey (2003-2004) for Rheumatic and other Musculoskeletal Disorders’ study, Sponsored and funded by the BJD-INDIA: NAN. The current model looks at several community issues including quality of life, socio economic impact, medical resources and health education.

        The urban study was begun in Jammu, Chennai and Pune in April 2004. In, Pune, the survey has been completed in the Narayan Peth locality in the heart of the city. Over 9000 population has been surveyed and 888 patients with different kinds of musculoskeletal rheumatic disorders identified.