How common is arthritis among Americans?

The two most common forms of arthritis, osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA), afflict one in three American adults. Osteoarthritis, the more prevalent joint condition, often occurs as cartilage wears down over time, causing swelling and pain as bone rubs against bone. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy joint tissue, causing inflammation and joint damage.

Diet and lifestyle habits have the potential to either aggravate or alleviate the symptoms of both conditions. In studies where severe rheumatoid arthritis sufferers switched to a low-fat diet and adopted regular exercise, symptoms decreased dramatically—so much so that patients required less medication. Apparently, dietary changes provide the biggest benefits; symptoms reappeared as soon as patients returned to bad eating habits.

There are more than 100 different forms of arthritis that affect more than 43 million Americans and 20 percent of the adult population. This makes arthritis one of the most common health problems in the U.S.

Arthritis also is the leading cause of disability. Nearly 7 million people in the U.S., including 20 percent of people with arthritis, are unable to perform major life activities such as working or housekeeping because of this disease. Arthritis sufferers endure more days in severe pain, experience more days with limited ability to perform daily activities, and have more difficulty performing personal-care routines than people without arthritis. As with other chronic pain conditions, arthritis has negative effects on mental health.

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