Arthritis is recognized as the leading cause of disability in the United States and is associated with activity limitation, work disability, reduced quality of life, and high health care costs.

New prevalence statistics have been released by the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). Based on data from the 2003-2005 National Health Interview Survey, an annual household-based survey of adults age 18 years or older, respondents were classified as having doctor-diagnosed arthritis if they answered yes to, "Have you ever been told by a doctor or other health professional that you have some form of arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, lupus, or fibromyalgia?" Other questions yielded the following estimated results regarding the prevalence of doctor-diagnosed arthritis:

• Adults in the U.S. - 46.4 million persons (21.6%)
• Women (25.4%); Men (17.6%)
• Persons 65 years or older (50%); 45-64 years old (29.3%); 18-44 years old (7.9%)
• Non-hispanic whites (24.3%); Non-hispanic blacks (19.2%); Hispanics (11.4%)
• Obese (31.6%); Overweight (21.7%); Normal or underweight (16.3%)
• Physically inactive (25%); Physically active (19.5%)
• Adults with arthritis-attributable activity limitations 17.4 million (8.3%)

As the population ages, it has been estimated that by 2030 about 67 million Americans will be affected by arthritis.

• Do I Have Arthritis?
• What are the Types of Arthritis?
• How to Recognize the Signs and Symptoms of Arthritis
• Rheumatism, Rheumatic Disease, and Arthritis: Are They All the Same?

_{Photo by Sharon Dominick (iStockphoto)}