Spotlight: Arthritis - Sufferers Say Ability to Work is Impaired -- Third of U.S. Adults Report Wide

Oct 13, 01:50 PM

Current Headlines: ATLANTA - About a third of U.S. adults with arthritis say the chronic condition - the nation's leading cause of disability - has limited their ability to work, the government said Thursday.

Details

CDC: A survey released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that 33 percent of U.S. workers with arthritis suffered work limitations in 2003, the latest data available.

Highest and lowest: In Kentucky, slightly more than half of arthritis sufferers reported work limitations. Nevada had the lowest percentage, with about a fourth of its adults saying their work was limited.

Reaction

New look: "What was surprising about this was just how high and how strong an impact arthritis does have on work," said Kristina Theis of the CDC. The study is the first to provide a state-by- state breakdown on the impact of arthritis in the workplace.

Life-changer: "It's not just an aging problem, but it's a problem that hits people of all ages and adults. It changes people's lives dramatically and for decades," said Dr. Steven Abramson, director of rheumatology of New York University Hospital for Joint Diseases, who was not involved in the study.

About arthritis

How many? Arthritis comprises more than 100 different conditions, affecting an estimated 46 million Americans.

Types: The most common forms are osteoarthritis - affecting mostly older people - gout and rheumatoid arthritis.

Symptoms: Generally include pain, aching, stiffness and swelling in or around the joints.

By the numbers: Overall, nearly 7 percent of all working adults in U.S. states experienced arthritis-related workplace limitations.

Kentucky had the highest percentage of workers, 15 percent, with such limitations.

Hawaii had the lowest, with about 3 percent, the CDC study said.

Method: The study relied on a random sample telephone survey in which health officials asked workers whether they had ever been told by a doctor they had arthritis or a related condition. Then they were asked whether arthritis or joint symptoms affected their ability to work and the type of work they could do.

Management

Take control: The CDC recommends people with arthritis exercise and take part in self-management programs such as one sponsored by the Arthritis Foundation that has been found to significantly decrease pain, Theis said.

Costs: A CDC study released in January said that the nation's cost for arthritis and related conditions was $128 billion in 2003, including roughly $81 billion in direct costs such as medical expenses and $47 billion in indirect costs, such as lost wages.

On the WEb:

CDC arthritis info: www.cdc.gov/arthritis/

Originally published by Associated Press .

(c) 2007 Commercial Appeal, The. Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.