Use of Complementary Therapies among Primary Care Clinic Patients with Arthritis (9/30/04)
http://www.cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2004/oct/03_0036.htm
The frequency and types of CAM therapy used by Hispanic and non-Hispanic white women and men with osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or fibromyalgia were examined. Most (90.2%) had ever used CAM for arthritis, and 69.2% were using CAM at the time of the interview. Current use was highest for oral supplements (mainly glucosamine and chondroitin) (34.1%), mind-body therapies (29.0%), and herbal topical ointments (25.1%).

Prevalence of Doctor-Diagnosed Arthritis and Possible Arthritis- 30 States, 2002 (5/30/04)
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5318a2.htm
This report summarizes results from the 2002 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System on prevalence of doctor-diagnosed arthritis and possible arthritis. The findings indicate that the estimated prevalence of doctor-diagnosed arthritis among adults in the 30 states ranged from 17.8% to 35.8%, and the prevalence of possible arthritis ranged from 10.3% to 21.3%. Among all 30 states, the prevalence of doctor-diagnosed arthritis was higher among women and increased with age. Arthritis is the leading cause of disability in the United States, and its prevalence is expected to increase as the U.S. population ages.

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Genetic Variation in the Interleukin 1 Gene Cluster: A Population Based Study in the Southeastern United States (4/30/04)
http://www.cdc.gov/genomics/hugenet/ejournal/lupus.htm
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease of unknown etiology in which damage is mediated by autoantibodies and immune complexes. SLE is more common in women than men (90% of cases are women), and more common in African Americans than in whites. The primary goal of this study was to examine association between SLE and five alleles in the interleukin 1 gene cluster in the interleukin 1-alpha, interleukin 1-beta, and interleukin 1 receptor antagonist genes. The authors concluded that two IL1 gene promoter regions were significantly associated with SLE in this study sample, supporting the hypothesis that altered or imbalanced IL1 production may affect the risk of developing SLE.

Prevalence of Self-Reported Arthritis or Chronic Joint Symptoms Among Adults - United States, 2001
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5142a2.htm
In 2001, questions about arthritis and CJS were asked of adult respondents in every state through the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. This report summarizes the results of that survey, which indicate that the estimated U.S. prevalence of arthritis/CJS was 33.0% among adults. Women had higher prevalence than men, and non-Hispanic whites and non-Hispanic blacks had higher prevalence than Hispanics and persons of other racial/ethnic groups. Other groups with higher prevalence were persons who had not completed high school, those who were physically inactive, and those who were obese or overweight (i.e., having a body mass index >25.0). The median state prevalence was 33.1% (range: 17.8% [Hawaii]-42.6% [West Virginia]), with states in the central and northwestern United States having the highest prevalence. Arthritis and other rheumatic conditions comprise the leading cause of disability among adults in the United States.

Trends in Deaths from Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) - United States, 1979-1998
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5117a3.htm
To characterize deaths from SLE, CDC reviewed SLE deaths during 1979-1998. This report presents the results of that analysis, which indicate that marked age-, sex-, and race-specific disparities exist in SLE death rates and that death rates have increased by approximately 70% during the study period among black women aged 45-64 years. Of all SLE deaths, 36.4% occurred among persons aged 15-44 years. For each year, crude death rates increased with age, were >5 times higher among women than men, and were >3 times higher among blacks than whites. Among black women, death rates were highest and increased most (69.7%) among those aged 45-64 years, with little difference in rates among other age groups. Systemic lupus erythematosus is a serious autoimmune disease of unknown etiology that can affect several organs. Because SLE affects connective tissues and because painful joints and arthritis are among its most common manifestations, this disease is classified with arthritis and other rheumatic diseases. Prevention of deaths requires early recognition and diagnosis of SLE and appropriate therapeutic management.

Prevalence of Arthritis-United States, 1997
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5017a2.htm
Arthritis and other rheumatic conditions (i.e., arthritis) are among the most prevalent diseases in the United States and the most frequent cause of disability. Females had higher arthritis rates than males overall and for each age group. An estimated eight million persons (3% of the U.S. population) reported arthritis as a major or contributing cause of activity limitations. Rates increased with age and females had higher rates of activity limitations than males overall and for each age group.

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This page last reviewed August 31, 2007
URL: http://www.cdc.gov/women/pubs/arthritis.htm

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