Arthritis Statistics

The burden of disease is revealed upon examination of these North American arthritis statistics [1]:

• Approximately one in six adults aged 15 years and over, have arthritis.

• Approximately 66% of people affected by arthritis are women.

• Approximately 60% of people with arthritis are less than 65 yrs old.

• More people with arthritis compared to same populations with other chronic illnesses report moderate to severe pain resulting in long-term disability.

• More people with arthritis compared to same populations with other chronic illnesses report worse self-rated health, more disrupted sleep, depression, help with daily activities, and more contact with health professionals.

These arthritis statistics are just the numbers.  Other arthritis statistics are linked to the economic burden of the disease.

Arthritis Statistics

• Arthritis is included in the group of conditions that are the second most costly category of disease, musculoskeletal diseases.

• Arthritis accounts for more than 40% of drug expenditures for musculoskeletal diseases.

• Long-term disability results in almost 80% of arthritis-related costs.  Approximately 70% of these costs are incurred by the group aged 35-65.

These North American arthritis statistics are only for a narrow portion of the world’s population.  In these countries the health care systems are capable of providing treatment and tracking arthritis statistics somewhat reliably.

Arthritis statistics in other parts of the world are either not tracked or not reliable.  Furthermore, these arthritis statistics cannot be translated to other countries as health care capabilities, nutrition, and modernization differ.  Reliable arthritis statistics will always be difficult to pinpoint but it is obvious it is a very prevalent disease with high costs to personal health and country economics.

1.  Badley, Elizabeth and DesMeules, Marie, eds. Arthritis in Canada. (September 2003) p. 8 - 44: fig. 2-1, 3-5; table 3-5.