Prevalence of Arthritis and Arthritis-Attributable Activity Limitation — United States, 2016–2018

Abstract

Arthritis has been the most frequently reported main cause of disability among U.S. adults for >15 years (1), was responsible for >$300 billion in arthritis-attributable direct and indirect annual costs in the U.S. during 2013 (2), is linked to disproportionately high levels of anxiety and depression (3), and is projected to increase 49% in prevalence from 2010-2012 to 2040 (4). To update national prevalence estimates for arthritis and arthritis-attributable activity limitation (AAAL) among U.S. adults, CDC analyzed combined National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) data from 2016-2018. An estimated 58.5 million adults aged ≥18 years (23.7%) reported arthritis; 25.7 million (10.4% overall; 43.9% among those with arthritis) reported AAAL. Prevalence of both arthritis and AAAL was highest among adults with physical limitations, few economic opportunities, and poor overall health. Arthritis was reported by more than one half of respondents aged ≥65 years (50.4%), adults who were unable to work or disabled* (52.3%), or adults with fair/poor self-rated health (51.2%), joint symptoms in the past 30 days (52.2%), activities of daily living (ADL) † disability (54.8%), or instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) § disability (55.9%). More widespread dissemination of existing, evidence-based, community-delivered interventions , along with clinical coordination and attention to social determinants of health (e.g., improved social, economic, and mental health opportunities), can help reduce widespread arthritis prevalence and its adverse effects. NHIS is an ongoing, nationally representative, in-person interview health survey of the noninstitutionalized, U.S. civilian population. Analyses were limited to adults aged ≥18 years. Unweighted sample sizes and final response rates of the Sample Adult component ¶ for 2016, 2017, and 2018 were 33,028