There were summarized the data concerning epidemiology of the main rheumatic diseases. The data of region Odessa about changes of structure of rheumatic diseases for 22 years (1983–2005) were studied. The quantity of patients with rheumatism decreased, but quantity of patients with rheumatic joint diseases (osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, reactive arthritis) and systemic diseases of connective tissue (systemic lupus erythematosus, systemic sclerosis) increased.
