Today is World Arthritis Day, and we wanted to highlight a few facts and figures about this disease. Many people think of arthritis as a nagging problem but the effects of arthritis are far-reaching. Arthritis is more than a nag and impacts more than the elderly. It is a problem that effects millions of Americans and impacts our society whether we are aware of the results or not.
As mentioned arthritis is not just an aging problem. In fact about 20% of the population in the United States over the age of 18 suffers from some form of arthritis. Children are also at risk, although the odds are much lower. Still one in every 250 children in America have arthritis or a rheumatic condition. The numbers are expected to grow as the population rises. By 2030 health professionals estimate 67 million Americans will have doctor diagnosed arthritis, compared to 50 million adults currently battling the illness.
Of the 50 million Americans suffering with arthritis over half of them (27 million) have osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis happens when cartilage on the ends of your bones wear down over time. According to the Mayo Clinic osteoarthritis usually happens to joints in the hands, knees, hips and spine, however it can damage any joint in the body. It usually gradually worsens and, unfortunately, there is no cure. Staying active, however and maintaining a healthy weight will slow the progression of the disease and help improve pain and joint friction.
Arthritis is the number one cause of disability in the United States and that has major impacts on our economy. Arthritis reduces the workforce because working age men and women with arthritis are less likely to be employed than those of the same age without the disease. Adults aged 18 to 64 who are able to work with arthritis lose more workdays every year due to the illness than any other adult with another medical condition. About 33% of those working with arthritis have some kind of limitations in their ability to work when the are able to do their job, whether or not they are part or full time workers.
All of these work-related issues have big impacts on the nation’s economy. Each year arthritis costs the workforce about $156 billion in lost wages and medical expenses. Nearly one million people are hospitalized because of arthritis each year and there are about 44 million outpatient visits in the same period.
Like osteoarthritis physical activity is important for reliving pain and improving function for those suffering with arthritis. But the irony is people with arthritis are less likely to be active. Over 38 percent of all adults with arthritis report no leisure-time activity, compared to 27 percent of adults without arthritis. Hopefully as people are more educated about arthritis they will have more confidence to exercise and lead an active life, to help curb the symptoms.
