Data and Statistics

Data and Statistics National Statistics State Statistics Arthritis Related Statistics Cost Statistics Racial/Ethnic Differences See Also: Quick Stats Schedule of Surveillance Products BRFSS Arthritis Questions 1996-2009 Overview of Arthritis Surveillance FAQs (Data Related) State Surveillance Recommendations Arthritis Case Definition (Adult) Arthritis Case Definition (Pediatric)

BRFSS Arthritis Questions 1996–2009

1996-2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009
(An overview of BRFSS arthritis question changes from 1996 on is available.)

1996–2000 BRFSS Optional Module (Arthritis Burden Questions)

1. During the past 12 months, have you had pain, aching, stiffness or swelling in or around a joint?
2. Were these symptoms present on most days for at least one month?
3. Are you now limited in any way in any activities because of joint symptoms?
4. Have you ever been told by a doctor that you have arthritis?
5. What type of arthritis did the doctor say you have?
6. Are you currently being treated by a doctor for arthritis?

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2001 BRFSS Core (Arthritis Burden Questions)

1. During the past 12 months, have you had pain, aching, stiffness or swelling in or around a joint?
2. Were these symptoms present on most days for at least one month?
3. Are you now limited in any way in any activities because of joint symptoms?
4. Have you ever been told by a doctor that you have arthritis?
5. Have you EVER seen a doctor, nurse, or other health professional for these joint symptoms?
6. Are you currently being treated by a doctor for arthritis?

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2002 BRFSS Optional Module (Arthritis Burden Questions)

1. The next questions refer to your joints. Please do NOT include the back or neck. DURING THE PAST 30 DAYS, have you had any symptoms of pain, aching, or stiffness in or around a joint?
2. Did your joint symptoms FIRST begin more than 3 months ago?
3. Have you EVER seen a doctor or other health professional for these joint symptoms?
4. 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?
5. Are you now limited in any way in any of your usual activities because of arthritis or joint symptoms?
6. (IF AGE IS BETWEEN 18-64) In this next question we are referring to work for pay. Do arthritis or joint symptoms now affect whether you work, the type of work you do, or the amount of work you do?

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2003 BRFSS Core (Arthritis Burden Questions)

1. The next questions refer to your joints. Please do NOT include the back or neck. DURING THE PAST 30 DAYS, have you had any symptoms of pain, aching, or stiffness in or around a joint?
2. Did your joint symptoms FIRST begin more than 3 months ago?
3. Have you EVER seen a doctor or other health professional for these joint symptoms?
4. 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?
5. Are you now limited in any way in any of your usual activities because of arthritis or joint symptoms?
6. (IF AGE IS BETWEEN 18-64) In this next question we are referring to work for pay. Do arthritis or joint symptoms now affect whether you work, the type of work you do, or the amount of work you do?

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2003 BRFSS Optional Module (Arthritis Management Questions)

1. Thinking about your arthritis or joint symptoms, which of the following best describes you TODAY?
   (Read responses 1- 4)
   1. I can do everything I would like to do;
   2. I can do most things I would like to do;
   3. I can do some things I would like to do;
   4. I can do hardly anything I would like to do.
2. Has a doctor or other health professional EVER suggested losing weight to help your arthritis or joint symptoms?
3. Has a doctor or other health professional EVER suggested physical activity or exercise to help your arthritis or joint symptoms?
4. Have you EVER taken an educational course or class to teach you how to manage problems related to your arthritis or joint symptoms?

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2004 No Arthritis Questions Available

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2005 BRFSS Core (Arthritis Burden Questions)

1. The next questions refer to your joints. Please do NOT include the back or neck. DURING THE PAST 30 DAYS, have you had any symptoms of pain, aching, or stiffness in or around a joint?
2. Did your joint symptoms FIRST begin more than 3 months ago?
3. Have you EVER seen a doctor or other health professional for these joint symptoms?
4. 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?
5. Are you now limited in any way in any of your usual activities because of arthritis or joint symptoms?

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2005 BRFSS Optional Module (Arthritis Management Questions)

1. Thinking about your arthritis or joint symptoms, which of the following best describes you TODAY?
   (Read responses 1- 4)
   1. I can do everything I would like to do;
   2. I can do most things I would like to do;
   3. I can do some things I would like to do;
   4. I can do hardly anything I would like to do.
2. Has a doctor or other health professional EVER suggested losing weight to help your arthritis or joint symptoms?
3. Has a doctor or other health professional EVER suggested physical activity or exercise to help your arthritis or joint symptoms?
4. Have you EVER taken an educational course or class to teach you how to manage problems related to your arthritis or joint symptoms?

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2006 No Arthritis Questions Available

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2007 BRFSS Core (Arthritis Burden Questions)

1. The next questions refer to your joints. Please do NOT include the back or neck. DURING THE PAST 30 DAYS, have you had any symptoms of pain, aching, or stiffness in or around a joint?
2. Did your joint symptoms FIRST begin more than 3 months ago?
3. Have you EVER seen a doctor or other health professional for these joint symptoms?
4. 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?
5. Are you now limited in any way in any of your usual activities because of arthritis or joint symptoms?

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2007 BRFSS Optional Module (Arthritis Management Questions)

1. Thinking about your arthritis or joint symptoms, which of the following best describes you TODAY?
   (Read responses 1- 4)
   1. I can do everything I would like to do;
   2. I can do most things I would like to do;
   3. I can do some things I would like to do;
   4. I can do hardly anything I would like to do.
2. Has a doctor or other health professional EVER suggested losing weight to help your arthritis or joint symptoms?
3. Has a doctor or other health professional EVER suggested physical activity or exercise to help your arthritis or joint symptoms?
4. Have you EVER taken an educational course or class to teach you how to manage problems related to your arthritis or joint symptoms?

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2008 No Arthritis Questions Proposed

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2009 Proposed BRFSS Core (Arthritis Burden Questions)

1. 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?
2. Arthritis can cause symptoms like pain, aching, or stiffness in and around a joint. Are you now limited in any way in any of your usual activities because of arthritis or joint symptoms?
3. In this next question we are referring to work for pay. Do arthritis or joint symptoms now affect whether you work, the type of work you do, or the amount of work you do?
4. During the past 30 days, to what extent has your arthritis or joint symptoms interfered with your normal social activities, such as going shopping, to the movies, or to religious or social gatherings? (READ 1-3)
   1. A lot;
   2. A little or;
   3. Not at all.
5. Please think about the past 30 days, keeping in mind all of your joint pain or aching and whether or not you have taken medication. DURING THE PAST 30 DAYS, how bad was your joint pain ON AVERAGE? Please answer on a scale of 0 to 10 where 0 is no pain or aching and 10 is pain or aching as bad as it can be.

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2009 Proposed BRFSS Optional Module (Arthritis Management Questions)

1. Thinking about your arthritis or joint symptoms, which of the following best describes you TODAY?
   (Read responses 1- 4)
   1. I can do everything I would like to do;
   2. I can do most things I would like to do;
   3. I can do some things I would like to do;
   4. I can do hardly anything I would like to do.
2. Has a doctor or other health professional EVER suggested losing weight to help your arthritis or joint symptoms?
3. Has a doctor or other health professional EVER suggested physical activity or exercise to help your arthritis or joint symptoms?
4. Have you EVER taken an educational course or class to teach you how to manage problems related to your arthritis or joint symptoms?

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Page last reviewed: June 8, 2008
Page last modified: June 8, 2008
Content Source: Division of Adult and Community Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion

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