Prevalence and Incidence of Osteoarthritis
Prevalance of Osteoarthritis:
20 million people (NIAMS); more than 16 million people (NWHIC) ... see also overview of Osteoarthritis.
Prevalance Rate:
approx 1 in 13 or 7.35% or 20 million people in USA [Source statistic for calcuation: "20 million people (NIAMS); more than 16 million people (NWHIC)" -- see also general information about data sources]
Osteoarthritis Prevalence: Book Excerpts
Prevalance of Osteoarthritis:
More than 20 million people in the
United States probably have the disease.
(Source: excerpt from Handout on Health Osteoarthritis: NIAMS)
...
osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis, affecting an
estimated 20.7 million adults in the United States. (Source: excerpt from Questions and Answers About Arthritis and Rheumatic Diseases: NIAMS)
Prevelance statistics for Osteoarthritis:
The following statistics relate to the prevalence of Osteoarthritis:
- Over 16 million people with osteoarthritis in the US (American Medical Women’s Association)
- Osteoarthritis affects nearly 21 million people in the US (Mayo Clinic)
- 42.7 million noninstitutionalised adults had arthritic symptoms in the US 2002 (Summary Health Statistics for US Adults, 2002, NCHS, CDC)
- 20.8% of noninstitutionalised adults had arthritic symptoms in the US 2002 (Summary Health Statistics for US Adults, 2002, NCHS, CDC)
- 47,700 home care patients had osteoarthritis and allied disorders in the US 2000 (National Home and Hospice Care Survey, 2002, NCHS, CDC)
- 3.5% of home care patients had osteoarthritis and allied disorders in the US 2000 (National Home and Hospice Care Survey, 2002, NCHS, CDC)
- 186,700 nursing home care patients had osteoarthritis and allied disorders in the US 1999 (National Nursing Home Survey, 1999 Summary, NCHS, CDC)
- more statistics...»
Prevalence/Incidence of Osteoarthritis: Online Medical Books
16 MEDICAL BOOKS ONLINE!
Review excerpts from medical books online, free, without registration,
for more information about the prevalence and/or incidence of Osteoarthritis.
Rheumatoid arthritis:
Causes and incidence
(Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition))
RA occurs worldwide, striking three times more females than males. Although it can occur at any age, it begins most often between ages 25 and 55. This disease affects more than 7 million people in the United States alone.
What causes the chronic inflammation characteristic of RA isn’t known, but various theories point to infectious, genetic, and endocrine factors. Currently, it’s believed that a genetically susceptible individual develops abnormal or altered immunoglobulin (Ig) G antibodies when exposed to an antigen. This altered IgG antibody isn’t recognized as “self,” and the individual forms an antibody against it — an antibody known as RF. By aggregating into complexes, RF generates inflammation. Eventually, cartilage damage by inflammation triggers additional immune responses, including activation of complement. This in turn attracts polymorphonuclear leukocytes and stimulates release of inflammatory mediators, which enhance joint destruction.
Much more is known about the pathogenesis of RA than about its causes. If unarrested, the inflammatory process within the joints occurs in four stages. First, synovitis develops from congestion and edema of the synovial membrane and joint capsule. Formation of pannus — thickened layers of granulation tissue — marks the second stage’s onset. Pannus covers and invades cartilage and eventually destroys the joint capsule and bone. Progression to the third stage is characterized by fibrous ankylosis — fibrous invasion of the pannus and scar formation that occludes the joint space. Bone atrophy and malalignment cause visible deformities and disrupt the articulation of opposing bones, causing muscle atrophy and imbalance and, possibly, partial dislocations or subluxations. In the fourth stage, fibrous tissue calcifies, resulting in bony ankylosis and total immobility.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition), 2005
Osteoarthritis:
Causes and incidence
(Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition))
Studies indicate that osteoarthritis is acquired and probably results from a combination of metabolic, genetic, chemical, and mechanical factors. Secondary osteoarthritis usually follows an identifiable predisposing event — most commonly trauma, congenital deformity, or obesity — and leads to degenerative changes.
Osteoarthritis may first appear between ages 30 and 40, and is present in almost everyone by age 70. Before age 55, it affects men and women equally, but after age 55 the incidence is higher in women.
ELDER TIP Primary osteoarthritis is strongly associated with aging, and indeed aging may predispose to the cartilage degeneration common in persons with osteoarthritis.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition), 2005
Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis:
Causes and incidence
(Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition))
The cause of JRA remains puzzling. Research continues to test several theories, such as those linking the disease to genetic factors or to an abnormal immune response. Viral or bacterial (particularly streptococcal) infection, trauma, and emotional stress may be precipitating factors, but their relationship to JRA remains unclear.
Considered the major chronic rheumatic disorder of childhood, JRA affects an estimated 150,000 to 250,000 children in the United States; overall incidence is twice as high in females, with variation among the types of JRA.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition), 2005
About prevalence and incidence statistics:
The term 'prevalence' of Osteoarthritis usually refers to the estimated population
of people who are managing Osteoarthritis at any given time.
The term 'incidence' of Osteoarthritis refers to the annual diagnosis rate,
or the number of new cases of Osteoarthritis diagnosed each year.
Hence, these two statistics types can differ:
a short-lived disease like flu can have high annual incidence but low prevalence,
but a life-long disease like diabetes has a low annual incidence but high prevalence.
For more information see about prevalence and incidence statistics.
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