Osteoarthritis affects up to 80 percent of elderly adults. For elderly people who live alone, osteoarthritis (especially of the knees or hips) is the leading cause of inability to participate in daily activities. New study results published in the April 2006 issue of Arthritis Care & Research analyzed the quality of care that elderly osteoarthritis patients were getting and it was suboptimal.

After elderly patients were interviewed, results of the study revealed:

• 57 percent of patients interviewed received adequate arthritis care overall.
• Only 44 percent were adequately informed about medication safety.

Researchers suggest that efforts to improve qualily of care include counseling about medications and better use of effective therapies for osteoarthritis.

• Guide to Osteoarthritis
• Osteoarthritis Screening Quiz
• Fast Facts About Osteoarthritis
• Osteoarthritis - Test Your Knowledge
• Rheumatoid Arthritis or Osteoarthritis - Which Is It?

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