{"id":38149,"date":"2021-07-28T19:41:05","date_gmt":"2021-07-28T23:41:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=38149"},"modified":"2026-04-13T11:55:14","modified_gmt":"2026-04-13T15:55:14","slug":"arthritis-statistics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/news\/arthritis-statistics\/","title":{"rendered":"Arthritis statistics: Prevalence, demographics, and impact"},"content":{"rendered":"

Many people associate arthritis with aging, but it\u2019s a condition that affects people of all ages worldwide. Let\u2019s take a look at some arthritis statistics to better understand what this chronic condition is, who it affects, how to prevent it, and how it can be treated.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What is arthritis?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Arthritis, or joint disease, is inflammation of one or more joints, such as the knees, knuckles, wrists, or ankles. Symptoms of arthritis include joint pain, swelling, and stiffness.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

There are more than <\/span>100 different types of arthritis<\/span><\/a>. Osteoarthritis, a type commonly associated with aging, is the most common overall. Other types of arthritis, like rheumatoid arthritis and lupus-related arthritis, are autoimmune diseases that can affect people of different ages. Rheumatoid arthritis is the most common autoimmune form of arthritis.<\/span><\/p>\n

Arthritis is typically diagnosed after a series of physical exams, blood tests, and X-rays. Doctors will look for signs and symptoms of different forms of arthritis and may run tests to determine what kind of arthritis someone has. Changes suggestive of arthritis are seen on X-rays and other imaging studies. Blood tests may be used to check for antibodies that indicate autoimmune forms of arthritis.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

How common is arthritis?<\/span><\/h2>\n