Arthritis is the leading cause of disability in the United States. To determine just how prevalent it is, 212,000 people from all 50 states were asked not only if their doctor told them that they had arthritis, but also if they had chronic joint symptoms.
Based on their responses, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 70 million American adults have some form of arthritis or chronic joint symptoms. That's about one out of every three adults. Previously, the CDC and other organizations had estimated that 46 million Americans – including children – had arthritis.
Do You Have Arthritis?
You have chronic joint symptoms if you answer yes to two questions:
- In the past 12 months, have you had pain, aching, stiffness, or swelling in or around a joint?
- Were these symptoms present on most days for at least a month?
It's important to take chronic joint symptoms seriously. Most forms of arthritis are progressive. An early diagnosis can help you manage arthritis and delay – or halt – its progression.
Yet, according to the CDC, one-fifth of adults (10.3 million people in the United States) with chronic joint symptoms have not seen a health professional for these symptoms. This goes for the two million who say their joint symptoms limit their activities. Most of these people have health insurance and a personal doctor.
By not seeing a health professional, those with inflammatory arthritis are missing opportunities to get an early diagnosis and limit joint damage and disability. Others are missing opportunities to manage the pain with physical therapy, medication, weight reduction, and physical activity.
Take Action
Lifestyle intervention is perhaps as important as medical intervention. Research shows that physical activity decreases pain, improves function, and delays disability. It also shows that maintaining an ideal body weight and avoiding joint injuries reduces the risk of developing arthritis and may decrease disease progression. Getting an early diagnosis so that appropriate management, including self-management, can be initiated can improve the quality of life for people with arthritis. |
