Arthritis Fact Sheet

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What is Arthritis?

The term "arthritis" covers more than 100 diseases and conditions affecting joints, the surrounding tissues, and other connective tissues. Arthritis and other rheumatic conditions include osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, gout, bursitis, rheumatic fever, Lyme arthritis, carpal tunnel disease and other disorders.1

Defining arthritis in adults has evolved over time. Currently, arthritis is defined as doctor-diagnosed arthritis. Possible arthritis is characterized by pain, aching or stiffness in or around a joint within the past 30 days that has been present for 3 or more months.2

If possible arthritis is suspected, a medical diagnosis should be sought.

Who is Affected by Arthritis?

  • 46 million adults age 18 and older report doctor-diagnosed arthritis and 19 million report arthritis-attributable activity limitations.3 Children are affected as well.
  • Nearly two thirds of people with arthritis are younger than 65 years of age.4
  • Arthritis affects all race and ethnic groups: 34.3 million white adults, 4.4 million black adults, 2.6 million Hispanic adults, and 1.3 million adults of other races have arthritis.
  • Adults 65 and older, will account for 37.2% of arthritis cases in 2005, and will account for >51% of cases by 2030.5
  • Arthritis is the leading cause of disability in the United States.6
  • 8.2 million working aged U.S. adults (about 1 in 20) report work limitations due to arthritis or joint symptoms in 2002.4
  • In 2002, nearly 4.4 million US adults had chronic joint symptoms, 4 or more joints affected and associated activity limitations, yet had not seen a health care provider for these symptoms.7
  • Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a serious form of rheumatic disease that can affect several organs. Death rates from SLE are 3 times more likely in African American women aged 45-64 years than White women.8

Cost of Arthritis

  • Each year, arthritis results in 750,000 hospitalizations and 36 million ambulatory care visits. Women accounted for 63% of these visits; 68% of these visits were by persons under 65 years of age.9
  • Estimated medical care costs for arthritis total $80.8 billion; Total costs (medical care and lost productivity) were $128 billion.10

New York Data

  • Approximately 3.7 million adults or 26.1% of New York's adult population report they have doctor-diagnosed arthritis.11
  • Nearly 37% of New York adults with arthritis have limitations in their daily activities.11
  • Nearly 56% of New York adults aged 65 years and older, or 1.4 million, have arthritis. Approximately 35% of New York adults ages 45 to 64 have arthritis.11
  • Approximately 31% of women and 21% of men in New York have arthritis.11
  • In 2003, the total direct and indirect costs of arthritis care in New York was $8.7 billion.10

Risk Factors for Arthritis

  • Women make up about 60% of arthritis cases. 4
  • Older Age: Nearly half of the elderly population has arthritis. Risk increases with age.3
  • Obesity: Obesity is associated with osteoarthritis in adults12 and gout in men.13
  • Joint Injuries: Sports, occupation and repetitive motion joint injuries increase the risk of arthritis.1 Occupations such as farming, heavy industry, and those with repetitive motion are associated with arthritis.12

Effective Treatments for Arthritis

  • The Arthritis Foundation Self Help Program (formerly ASHC) has proven to reduce arthritis-related pain by 20% and decrease physician visits by 40%. This course involves small group education with a focus on problem solving, exercise, relaxation and communication.14
  • Physical activity in the form of regular, moderate exercise maintains joint health, relieves pain and improves function.14, 15
  • Physical activity can reduce the risk of functional decline by 38-41% and incident disability by 47% among adults with arthritis.16, 17 Several community-based physical activity programs are available for people with arthritis including the Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program and the Arthritis Foundation Aquatic Program
  • Reducing excess body weight can reduce the risk of incident knee osteoarthritis and limit progression of disease. Losing as little as 11 pounds may reduce the risk of incident knee osteoarthritis by 50%.12 Weight loss programs incorporating both exercise participation and dietary restriction are the most effective and result in significant improvements in pain and function.18
  • Physical and rehabilitation therapy are effective in reducing pain and improving function and disability.19
  • Medications for some types of arthritis can limit disease progression, control symptoms and prevent serious complications.1
  • Joint replacement therapy often reduces pain and improves activity.1

The New York State Arthritis Program

In response to the recommendations of the National Arthritis Action Plan (NAAP), the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) established cooperative agreements with state health departments to develop and enhance state-based programs that aim to decrease the burden of arthritis and improve the quality of life among people with arthritis.

  • Begun in 2001, the New York State Arthritis Program receives funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
  • Currently, the New York State Arthritis Program is focusing on activities outlined in the State Arthritis Plan.
  • The activities include: Colleting arthritis prevalence data; implementing proven arthritis interventions; developing statewide partnerships to reduce the burden of arthritis and related diseases; and disseminating arthritis health communication messages.
  • The New York State Arthritis Program can be contacted at: 518-408-5142 or arth@health.state.ny.us

References

  1. Arthritis Foundation, Association of State and Territorial Health Officials, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. National Arthritis Action Plan: A Public Health Strategy. Atlanta, GA: Arthritis Foundation, 1999.
  2. CDC.Prevalence of Doctor-Diagnosed Arthritis and Possible Arthritis --- 30 States, 2002. MMWR 2004; 53:383.
  3. CDC. Prevalence of Doctor-Diagnosed Arthritis and Arthritis-Attributable Activity Limitation – United States, 2003-2005. MMWR 2006; 55: 1089-1092.
  4. Bolen J, Sniezek J, Theis K, Helmick CM, Hootman J, Brady T, Langmaid G. Racial and ethnic differences in the prevalence and impact of doctor-diagnosed arthritis. MMWR 2005;54:119-123.
  5. Hootman JM, Helmick CG. Projections of US prevalence of arthritis and associated activity limitations. Arthritis & Rheumatism. 2006;54:226-229.
  6. Prevalence of disabilities and associated health conditions–United States.1999.MMWR 2001; 50:120-5.
  7. Hootman JM, Sacks JJ, Helmick CM, Murphy L, Bolen J, Sniezek J. Joints involved, severe pain, activity limitation and doctor-diagnosed arthritis among adults with chronic joint symptoms, United States, 2002. Arthritis and Rheumatism 2005;52-Supplement) 1775.
  8. Sacks JJ, Helmick CG, Langmaid G, Sniezek JE. Trends in deaths from systemic lupus erythematosus –United States, 1979-1998. MMWR 2002;51:371-2.
  9. Impact of arthritis and other rheumatic conditions on the health care system – United States. 1997. MMWR 1999; 48:349-53.
  10. CDC. National and State medical Expenditures and Lost Earnings Attributable to Arthritis and Other Rheumatic Conditions – United States, 2003. MMWR 2007, 56; 4-7.
  11. New York State Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. 2005.
  12. Felson DT, Zhang Y. An update on the epidemiology of knee and hip osteoarthritis with a view to prevention. Arthritis Rheum, 1998;41(8):1343-55.
  13. Choi HK, Atkinson K, Karlson EW, Curhan G. Obesity, weight change, hypertension, diuretic use, and risk of gout in men: the health professionals follow-up study. Arch Intern Med 2005; 165(7):742-8.
  14. Intervention Programs for Arthritis and Other Rheumatic Diseases. Health Education and Behavior 2003; 30(1): 44-63.
  15. Roddy E, Zhang W, Doherty M, et al. Evidence-based recommendations for the role of exercise in the management of osteoarthritis of the hip or knee – the MOVE consensus. Rheumatology, 2005;44(1):67-73.
  16. Feinglass J, Thompson JA, He XZ, et al. Effect of physical activity on functional status among older middle-age adults with arthritis. Arthritis Rheum, 2005;53(6):879-85.
  17. Penninx BW, Messier SP, Rejeski WJ et al. Physical exercise and the prevention of disability in activities of daily living in older persons with osteoarthritis. Arch Intern Med, 2001;161(19):2309-16.
  18. Messier SP, Loesser RF, Miller GD t al. Exercise and dietary weight loss in overweight and obese older adults with knee osteoarthritis : the Arthritis, Diet, and Activity Promotion Trial. Arthritis Rheum, 2004;50(5):1501-10.
  19. Harris GR, Susuman JL. Managing musculoskeletal complaints with rehabilitation therapy: Summary of the Philadelphia Panel evidence-based clinical practice guidelines on musculoskeletal rehabilitation interventions. J Fam Pract, 2002;51:1042-1046.