What causes arthritis in young adults?

Physician

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Updated Jan 13, 2026 • Published Jan 8, 2026

Fact Checked

Arthritis in young adults is often caused by autoimmune and inflammatory conditions. Juvenile idiopathic arthritis is an autoimmune disease where the immune system mistakenly attacks joints, with believed genetic, infectious, or environmental contributors. These factors trigger chronic joint inflammation and pain even in younger individuals.

Want more information on youth arthritis? Read our full article on Juvenile arthritis.

Medical disclaimer: This content is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult your rheumatologist or healthcare provider before making changes to your medication regimen.

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Types of arthritis

Medically reviewed by Anis Rehman, MD

Physician

Dr. Anis Rehman is an American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) certified physician in Internal Medicine as well as Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism who practices in Illinois. He completed his residency at Cleveland Clinic Akron General and fellowship training at University of Cincinnati in Ohio. Dr. Rehman has several dozen research publications in reputable journals and conferences. He also enjoys traveling and landscape photography. Dr. Rehman frequently writes medical blogs for District Endocrine (districtendocrine.com) and hosts an endocrine YouTube channel, District Endocrine.

Written by Katy Anderson

Contributor

Katy Anderson is a freelance writer who lives with her husband, three sons, a jovial Golden Retriever, and one very patient cat. She has written extensively on parenting, health, and relationships for publications such as Huffpost, ABC News, Babble, PopSugar, SheKnows, Mom.com, Mommy Nearest, and others.

What causes arthritis in young adults?

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