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People who suffer from Arthritis complain of prolonged joint stiffness and/or swelling often accompanied by pain. Muscular pain can also be associated with Arthritis. To read more about the symptoms of Arthritis, click on “Symptoms” on the left of the screen. Remember though: only a physician can correctly diagnose a disease like Arthritis. Consult your physician if you feel you suffer from the symptoms described here. Arthritis is a chronic disease that tends to affect people for long periods, often for their entire lives. It is important to recognize its symptoms early to allow for an effective management of the disease through a mix of drugs, change of life style and, if appropriate, also surgery. There are more than 100 different types of Arthritis. In the Arthritis section of Pain Resource Center, we will describe three of the most common types of Arthritis:
- Osteoarthritis
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Cervical Arthritis
We will also discuss two less common forms of Arthritis: Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis (JRA) a form of arthritis that affects children, and Reactive Arthritis, also known as Reiter’s Syndrome.
Statistics about Arthritis
- Among the 17 states more affected by Arthritis (1) are Alabama, Michigan and Pennsylvania whereas California, New Jersey and Texas are among those less affected (2).
- In terms of demographics, White-Non Hispanics are the ethnic group more affected by Arthritis (35.3%) whereas Hispanics are less affected (23.3%)
- Gender - Females are more at risk than Men: 37.3% vs. 28.4%
- Arthritis and age go hand-in-hand: 58.8% of those 65 and older are affected. The percentage is 42.1% for those aged between 46 and 64, and 19.0% for those between 18 and 44.
- Body weight seems to be a factor contributing to Arthritis: People who are considered “obese” (BMI>30) are affected 44.6% of the times, while those “underweight” (BMI<18.5) suffer of Arthritis only 27.2% of the times.
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(1)
more than 35.3% of adults aged 18 and older show signs of Arthritis or Chronic Joint Symptoms.
(2)
less than 32.9% of adults aged 18 and older show signs of Arthritis or Chronic Joint Symptoms.
Source:
Prevalence of Self-Reported Arthritis or Chronic Joint Symptoms Among Adults — United States, 2001. MMWR 2002;51(42):948–950.
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5142a2.htm |
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