Objective　To investigate the prevalence of rheumatic diseases in Shantou and their risk factors for development. Methods　Five epidemiological surveys on 22 049 adults were perforned in 10 years. Positive questionnaire responders were examined medically. Results　The response rate on examination was more than 98％. The frequency of common rheumatic symptoms in Shantou was lower than that in northern China. The prevalences of ankylosing spondylitis （AS）, rheumatoid arthritis （RA ）, osteoarthritis （OA）, osteoporosis （OP） and gout were 0.20％-0.32％, 0.20％-0.26％, 8.3％-10.8％, 12.4％ and 0.15％-0.17％ respectively. The frequency of HLA-B27 was 4.1％ among general population and 90.6％ in those with ankylosing spondylitis. The most commonly involved sites of osteoarthritis were lumbar spine, neck, and knee joint; whilst hand and hip were rarely involved. The quantity of calcium intake was considered insufficient in 85％ of the subjects surveyed. Conclusion　The prevalence of AS and RA was similar in Shantou and in North China. The prevalence of general rheumatic symptoms was lower in Shantou than that in Beijing. This difference might be related to the diversities in consciousness of seeking medical care, reduction of bone content, climate and ergonomics.