Abstract
Arthritis and other rheumatic conditions are the leading cause of disability the United States, affecting 42.7 million persons and costing 65 billion dollars in 1992. These numbers will increase by 2020 as the population ages. Few surveys exist to directly determine the prevalence and impact of arthritis at the state level. To address this gap, in 1995 state health departments and CDC developed a standardized, optional arthritis module for the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). This report summarizes results of the analyses of 1996 data in seven states. The findings indicate that the prevalence and impact of "chronic joint symptoms"-- a proposed indicator for true arthritis and other rheumatic conditions -- is high and variable among states and that a large proportion of persons with arthritis diagnosed by a doctor do not know the type of arthritis they have.
Highlights
ARTHRITIS AND other rheumatic conditions are the leading cause of disability in the United States,[1] affecting
The findings indicate that the prevalence and impact of “chronic joint symptoms”—a proposed indicator for true arthritis and other rheumatic conditions—
Is high and variable among states and that a large proportion of persons with arthritis diagnosed by a doctor do not know the type of arthritis they have
Summary
ARTHRITIS AND other rheumatic conditions are the leading cause of disability in the United States,[1] affecting. CDC Editorial Note: The findings in this report indicate that the prevalence of and activity limitation attributable to chronic joint symptoms are high and variable among the seven states. Workgroup has proposed that for selfreported data such as the BRFSS and the redesigned 1996 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), chronic joint symptoms serve as a new indicator for a true diagnosis of arthritis and other rheumatic conditions. Observed state-specific differences may reflect uncontrolled differences in population composition (e.g., age, sex, and race), socioeconomic status, or occupational and other characteristics Additional analyses of these data are planned to examine the relations between chronic joint symptoms, arthritis diagnosed by a doctor, and activity limitations and other BRFSS measures (e.g., health-related quality of life and health promotion/ disease prevention behaviors). This publication, planned for release later this year, is intended to provide a comprehensive public health strategy for state health departments, the 60 Arthritis Foundation chapters, and others in the public health community to reduce the arthritis burden in the United States
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