1 in 5 Patients are Unaware of their Arthritis Diagnosis Save

Current CDC numbers suggest that arthritis (any type) affects an estimated 67.1 million (27.9% ) adults in the USA.  Interestingly, 1 in 5 do not know their arthritis subtype (21.6%, 14.4 million).

This most recent analysis of the prevalence and distribution of arthritis subtypes in the US, used data from NHANES 2020 (National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey) that collected data from 2017 to March 2020 . 

The overall prevalence of any type of diagnosed arthritis among in US adults was 27.9% (67.1 million), this included 53.2 million adults (21.2%) with chronic arthritis. Subtypes included: 

• osteoarthritis (49.6%, 33.2 million) most common 
• rheumatoid arthritis (15.8%, 10.6 million) 
• psoriatic arthritis (1.4%, 1.0 million). 
• 11.5% claimed some other type of unlisted arthritis (7.7 million)
• 21.6% (1 in 5) did not know their arthritis subtype (14.4 million). 

Not knowing your arthritis subtype was higher in non-Hispanic Blacks (27% ), Hispanics (29%), Mexican American (33%),  but was also higher in adults reporting low family income (27%), or with less than a high school education (32%), or not having health insurance (36%).

Knowledge gaps exist regarding arthritis diagnosis and need to be addressed as this will impact health access and outcomes for those afflicted. 

In 2013, cost an estimated $303.5 billion (medical care and lost earnings).

The National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) data has projected that arthritis numbers will increase to 78.4 million by 2040.