2007 Georgia data summary. Arthritis

2007 Georgia Data Summary:
ARTHRITIS

Arthritis and chronic joint symptoms affect almost half of adult Georgians and are a leading cause of disability.

ARTHRITIS AND OTHER RHEUMATIC CONDITIONS

WHAT IS ARTHRITIS?

PREVALENCE BY HEALTH DISTRICT

Arthritis refers to over 100 related conditions that affect the joints, surrounding tissue, and connective tissue. Arthritis and other rheumatic conditions include osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, gout, fibromyalgia, and others.
SURVEILLANCE CASE DEFINITION

The Atlanta area has the lowest prevalence of doctordiagnosed arthritis (less than 1 in 5) while the southcentral region of Georgia has the highest (almost 1 in 3).
Percent of Adult Georgians with Doctor-diagnosed Arthritis by Health District,
2003 & 2005

Doctor-diagnosed arthritis is defined as having been diagnosed with arthritis or other rheumatic conditions by a physician or health professional.

PREVALENCE

About 1 in 4 adult Georgians reported doctordiagnosed arthritis in 2005.

Doctor-diagnosed arthritis is more common in women (29%) than men (22%).

Doctor-diagnosed arthritis is more common in whites (27%) and blacks (25%) than Hispanics (11%).
Among race and sex groups, white females have the highest prevalence of doctor-diagnosed arthritis (32%), and white males have the lowest (23%).
The prevalence of doctor-diagnosed arthritis increases with age, from about 4% among 18-24 year olds to 57% among those 65 years and older.

HOSPITALIZATIONS
In 2005, there were 23,535 hospitalizations with a primary diagnosis of arthritis. Of these, osteoarthritis accounted for 65%.
Total hospital charges for arthritis exceeded $795 million in 2005 with the average length of stay lasting about 4.2 days.

Percent

Percent of Adult Georgians with Doctor-diagnosed Arthritis by Age, 2005

60

57

50

46

40

30

20

10

4

32 21 7

0

18-24

25-34

35-44

45-54

55-64

65+

Age

RISK FACTORS
Obesity, injury, and family history are risk factors for arthritis. Appropriate physical activity can prevent arthritis and reduce arthritis-related disability.
Over 66% of adults with doctor-diagnosed arthritis are physically inactive or insufficiently active.
36% of adults with doctor-diagnosed arthritis are obese.

Georgia Department of Human Resources, Division of Public Health 2 Peachtree Street, NW Atlanta, GA 30303 (404) 657-3103 ga-arthritis@dhr.state.ga.us http://health.state.ga.us

IMPACT OF ARTHRITIS
Adults with arthritis are more likely to report poor health, limitations due to joint symptoms, and injuries.
34% of adults with doctor-diagnosed arthritis reported fair or poor general health (versus good, very good, or excellent general health).
Almost half of adults with doctor-diagnosed arthritis reported days of poor physical health during the past 30 days; 37% reported days of poor mental health during the past 30 days.
48% of adults with doctor-diagnosed arthritis reported days when poor health kept them from doing their usual activities during the past 30 days.
41% of adults with doctor-diagnosed arthritis reported limitations in daily activities; 41% reported limitations in work-related activities.
17% of adults with doctor-diagnosed arthritis reported having a fall in the past 3 months; 44% of whom were injured due to the fall.
ACCESS TO CARE
Many adults who may have arthritis have not seen a doctor for their joint symptoms, and many adults with arthritis cannot see a doctor due to costs.
Almost half of those reporting chronic joint symptoms, but who have not been clinically diagnosed with arthritis, have not seen a doctor for their joint symptoms.
Almost half of adults with doctor-diagnosed arthritis or chronic joint symptoms needed to see a doctor in the past 12 months but could not because of costs.
ARTHRITIS MANAGEMENT
Physicians and health care providers can recommend exercise and weight control for those who could benefit from them.
Among obese adults with doctor-diagnosed arthritis, only 65% were recommended by a doctor to lose weight to manage their arthritis, and only 55% were recommended both to lose weight and to exercise.
Among adults with normal weight and doctor-diagnosed arthritis, only 49% were recommended to exercise to manage their arthritis.
COMORBIDITY
Adults with arthritis are more likely to have other chronic diseases or modifiable risk factors.*
3 in 4 adults with doctor-diagnosed arthritis reported having other chronic diseases or modifiable risk factors.*
1 in 3 adults with doctor-diagnosed arthritis reported having high blood pressure; 1 in 3 adults with doctordiagnosed arthritis reported ever having high cholesterol.
1 in 8 adults with doctor-diagnosed arthritis reported having diabetes.
1 in 20 adults with doctor-diagnosed arthritis reported having angina or coronary heart disease.
*High cholesterol, high blood pressure, smoking, asthma, diabetes, heart attack, angina/coronary heart disease, and stroke Data sources: Georgia Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, Georgia Hospital Discharge Data Date updated: June 2007 Publication number: DPH07.090HW Visit http://www.health.state.ga.us/epi/cdiee/arthritis.asp for more information about arthritis in Georgia.
Georgia Department of Human Resources, Division of Public Health 2 Peachtree Street, NW Atlanta, GA 30303 (404) 657-3103 ga-arthritis@dhr.state.ga.us http://health.state.ga.us