Stone Mountain Pain Clinic

Arthritis Prevalence: A Nation in Pain

Arthritis is a term used to describe more than 100 different conditions that affect joints as well as

other parts of the body. Arthritis is one of the most prevalent chronic health problems and one of

the nation’s most common causes of disability.

[CDC. Prevalence of disabilities and associated health conditions among adults – United States, 1999. MMWR 2001; 50: 120 – 5.]

An estimated 46 million adults in the United States reported being told by a doctor that

they have some form of arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, lupus, or fibromyalgia.

[MMWR 2006;55(40):1089-1092. [Data Source: 2003–2005 NHIS]

One in five (21%) adults in the United States report having doctor-diagnosed arthritis.

[MMWR 2006;55(40):1089-1092. [Data Source: 2003–2005 NHIS]

By 2030, an estimated 67 million of Americans aged 18 years or older are projected to have

doctor-diagnosed arthritis.

[Arthritis & Rheumatism 2006;54(1):226-229 [Data Source: 2003 NHIS]

Two-thirds of the people that have doctor-diagnosed arthritis are under the age of 65.

[MMWR 2006;55(40):1089-1092. [Data Source: 2003–2005 NHIS]

In 2003, arthritis and rheumatic conditions cost the U.S. economy $128 billion.

[MMWR 2007;56(01):4-7. [Data Source: 2003 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey]

Arthritis is the second most frequently reported chronic condition in the United States.

[Benson, V. & Marano, M. (1998). Current Estimates from the National Health Interview Survey, 1995. Vital & Health Statistics 10, 199, 1-428].

Arthritis prevalence increases with age. Among adults over age 65, the prevalence of

arthritis is 50 percent.

[MMWR 2006;55(40):1089-1092. [Data Source: 2003–2005 NHIS]

The prevalence of arthritis is higher among women (28.3%) than men (18.2%).

[MMWR 2006;55(40):1089-1092.] [Data Source: 2003–2005 NHIS]

If prevalence rates remain stable, the number of affected persons ages 65 years and older

will nearly double to 41.1 million by 2030.

[CDC (2003). Public health and aging: projected prevalence of self-reported arthritis or chronic joint symptoms among persons aged >65 years--United States,

2005-2030. MMWR, 52, 489-491]

59 million people report having low back pain.

[Helmick, C., Felson, D., Lawrence, R., Gabriel, S., et all. Estimates of the Prevalence of Arthritis and Other Rheumatic conditions in the United States. Arthritis &

Rheumatism 58(1), 15-25. 2008]

30 million people report having neck pain.

[Helmick, C., Felson, D., Lawrence, R., Gabriel, S., et all. Estimates of the Prevalence of Arthritis and Other Rheumatic conditions in the United States. Arthritis &

Rheumatism 58(1), 15-25. 2008]