Arthritis

According to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, an estimated 50 million people (1 in 5) in the USA have been diagnosed with arthritis by a physician. By 2020 the prevalence will increase to 60 million. In the USA, arthritis is the most common cause of disability and limits the activity of approximately 21 million people. Increased public awareness about arthritis may help improve early diagnosis and management.

Arthritis is joint inflammation associated with pain and stiffness in one or more joints. Mild forms of arthritis may be self-limited and require only reassurance and symptomatic treatment. Progressive forms of arthritis need further evaluation to obtain appropriate diagnosis, long-term management, and symptomatic treatment to reduce disability and morbidity. Aggressive forms such as infectious arthritis (septic arthritis) require urgent attention to avoid permanent joint destruction and disability. Arthritis is classified based on the number of joints, such as...