The term arthritis is used to describe more than 100 conditions that affect joints, the tissues which surround joints, and other connective tissue. These conditions range from relatively mild forms of tendonitis and bursitis to systemic illnesses, such as rheumatoid arthritis. Certain conditions with arthritic components, such as systemic lupus erythematosus, also involve the immune system and various internal organs. Typically, arthritis conditions are characterized by pain and stiffness in and around one or more joints. However, the pattern, severity and location of symptoms vary depending on the specific form of the disease. Symptoms can develop gradually or suddenly.
Arthritis affects an estimated 4.2 million Canadians of all ages, with numbers expected to increase by 50% by 2020. Although arthritis is most prevalent among seniors, it is not confined to the elderly population and many are affected in the prime of their lives. There is no known cure for arthritis, but improvements in our understanding of the different conditions continue to lead to better medications and treatments for the disease.
Most common types of arthritis
Each form of arthritis has its own particular risk factors. Some of the most common risk factors for the development of arthritis include:
Non-modifiable risk factors
Modifiable risk factors
Minimizing the Risk of Arthritis
Although there is no known cure for arthritis, much can be done to reduce the impact of the disease. Early diagnosis and appropriate management of arthritis, including self-management activities, can help people with arthritis decrease pain, improve function, stay productive, and lower health care costs. Key self-management activities include the following:
According to the 2007 Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS), there are approximately 4.2 million Canadians living with arthritis. An estimated 62% of those living with arthritis are women and 3 out of 5 are younger than 65 years of age. Arthritis is one of the most common causes of physical disability (pain, activity limitation) among Canadians. Arthritis-related pain and disability affect many aspects of life including daily activities, leisure, labour force participation, and social activities. Arthritis carried an economic burden estimated at $4.4 billion in 1998 (Economic Burden of Illness in Canada, 1998).
The Arthritis Surveillance Program produces surveillance information and reports on arthritis in Canada. The Public Health Agency of Canada uses available databases that enable the tracking of arthritis and its impact on the Canadian population. Examples of such databases are: the Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS), the Discharge Abstract Database (DAD), the Canadian Joint Replacement Registry (CJRR), the Canadian Annual Mortality data, and the Participation and Activity Limitations Survey (PALS).
PHAC also collaborates with Provincial/Territorial partners to track arthritis in the population using provincial/territorial physician billing data. The Agency also has a number of projects that will contribute to enhance the existing data sources and develop new ones for the surveillance of arthritis.
Addressing the burden of arthritis requires coordinated and collaborative efforts among many organizations, such as governmental and public health agencies, not for profit organizations such as the Alliance for the Canadian Arthritis Programs (ACAP), Provincial and Territorial partners, academic researchers and health care professionals, and more importantly, people living with arthritis. These types of partnerships help to assure the needed comprehensive approach to arthritis.