Study: Arthritis More Common Among Divorced People and Smokers

Arthritis is more common in people who are divorced or smokers, according to researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Because many people with arthritis do not consult with their physician about it, researchers developed a study to estimate the prevalence of the condition among various groups of adults.

Researchers used data from a telephone survey of adults ages 18 and older conducted from 1996 through 1999. Estimates of self-reported arthritis, defined as chronic joint symptoms or doctor diagnosed arthritis, were taken from data in 15 states and Puerto Rico.

The researchers found arthritis to be more common among several groups not recognized in previous studies to have high rates of the disease, according to their report in the Journal of Rheumatology.

These groups include separated and divorced people, those out of work or unable to work, and current and former smokers. Arthritis was also more common among several previously recognized groups with high rates of the condition including older people, women, people with low education, people with low household incomes, physically inactive people and overweight and obese people.

"Because appropriate management can minimize the influence of arthritis, health care providers should ask patients in high risk groups about arthritis symptoms," concluded the researchers.

In addition, they recommend that clinical and public health interventions be targeted toward those groups with high prevalence rates of arthritis to reduce the disability from arthritis and improve their health related quality of life.

Other sources: Journal of Rheumatology