News from LufeeObesity, Lack of Exercise Heighten Arthritis Risk for Women (HealthDay)(02-25-2010 08:49 PM)HealthDay - THURSDAY, Feb. 25 (HealthDay News) -- Higher levels of obesity and inactivity, especially among women, explain why arthritis is more common in the United States than in Canada, according to a new study. Obesity and physical inactivity poses arthritis risk, especially for women(02-25-2010 06:09 PM)Researchers have noted a higher prevalence of arthritis and arthritis-attributable activity limitations in the US versus the Canadian population. The authors attribute the higher prevalence of arthritis and AAL to a greater level of obesity and physical inactivity in Americans, particularly women. |
<rheumatology> An inflammatory condition that affects joints. Can be infective, autoimmune, traumatic in origin.
Origin: Gr. Arthron = joint
(18 Nov 1997)
| Arth Classification and external resources |
|
 |
|
|---|---|
| Hands affected by arthritis | |
| ICD-10 |
M00.-M25. |
| ICD-9 | 710-719 |
| DiseasesDB | 15237 |
| eMedicine | topic list |
| MeSH | D001168 |
Arthritis (from Greek arthro-, joint + -itis, inflammation; plural: arthritides) is a group of conditions involving damage to the joints of the body. Arthritis is the leading cause of disability in people older than fifty-five years[citation needed].
There are different forms of arthritis; each has a different cause. The most common form of arthritis, osteoarthritis (degenerative joint disease) is a result of trauma to the joint, infection of the joint, or age. Emerging evidence suggests that abnormal anatomy might contribute to the early development of Osteoarthritis
All arthritides feature pain. Pain patterns may differ depending on the arthritides and the location. Rheumatoid arthritis is generally worse in the morning and associated with stiffness; in the early stages, patients often have no symptoms after a morning shower. In the aged and children, pain might not be the main presenting feature; the aged patient simply moves less, the infantile patient refuses to use the affected limb.
Elements of the history of the disorder guide diagnosis. Important features are speed and time of onset, pattern of joint involvement, symmetry of symptoms, early morning stiffness, tenderness, gelling or locking with inactivity, aggravating and relieving factors, and other systemic symptoms. Physical examination may confirm the diagnosis, or may indicate systemic disease. Radiographs are often used to follow progression or assess severity in a more quantitative manner.
| Extra-articular features of joint disease |
|---|
| cutaneous nodules |
| cutaneous vasculitic lesions |
| lymphadenopathy |
| oedema |
| ocular inflammation |
| Urethritis |
| tenoSynovitis |
| bursitis (swollen bursa) |
| diarrhea |
| orogenital ulceration |
[1]
Blood tests and X-rays of the affected joints often are performed to make the diagnosis. Screening Blood test
Primary forms of arthritis:
Secondary to other diseases:
Diseases that can mimic arthritis include:
Treatment options vary depending on the type of arthritis and include physical and occupational therapy, lifestyle changes (including exercise and weight control), medications and dietary supplements (symptomatic or targeted at the disease process causing the arthritis). Arthroplasty (joint replacement surgery) may be required in eroding forms of arthritis.
In general, studies have shown that physical exercising of the affected joint can have noticeable improvement in terms of long-term pain relief. Furthermore, exercising of the arthritic joint is encouraged to maintain the health of the particular joint and the overall body of the person.[2]
Another form of non-drug treatment that does have a body of proper research to support its efficacy is marine oil, from both fish and the New Zealand green-lipped mussel (Perna canaliculus). Diets high in marine oils from cold-water fish such as salmon, mackerel, and tuna have been shown to reduce the inflammation of joint conditions such as arthritis[citation needed]. Massage
While evidence of primary ankle (kaki) osteoarthritis has been discovered in dinosaurs, the first known traces of human arthritis date back as far as 4500 BC. It was noted in skeletal remains of Native Americans found in Tennessee and parts of what is now Olathe, Kansas. Evidence of arthritis has been found throughout history, from Ötzi, a mummy (circa 3000 BC) found along the border of modern Italy and Austria, to the Egyptian mummies circa 2590 BC[citation needed].
In 1715 William Musgrave published the second edition of his most important medical work De arthritide symptomatica which concerned arthritis and its effects.[3]
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