Does Arthritis Catch You Based on Age or Gender?

What comes to your mind when you hear the word ‘Arthritis’? Grandma’s pain in the knees? That one uncle blaming whether for his joint pain? There are so many scenarios that come to mind. Usually, we connect arthritis to an elderly disease. But that’s not the truth. Arthritis can affect anyone, irrespective of age and gender. 

A 2022 study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showed that arthritis in 18 years or above was 18.9%, with women (21.5%) more likely to have arthritis than men (16.1%). 

In India, one in every three women over 60 has arthritis. Today, even women in their 20s or 30s are more likely to develop arthritis. Doctors say that “young women in India find it difficult to walk or stand for long periods because of joint pain or stiffness.”

Arthritis can affect young or older adults, women or men. Arthritis is an autoimmune disorder that affects the joints in the body. It can cause redness, swelling, pain, and heat in the areas surrounding the joints. 

Age or Gender: Who Does Arthritis Affect The Most?

In scientific terms, it is common to interchange gender and age terms. Recent reports have classified both terms as distinctive. However, biomedical research still uses both terms interchangeably. 

Let’s first understand arthritis’s effect on gender! 

A study shows that women report more headaches, migraines, and musculoskeletal pain than men. Arthritis accounts for most neck, shoulders, hips, and upper limbs musculoskeletal pain. Women had more frequent and intense pain areas than men. 

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune arthritis which majorly prevails in women. Studies show that female to male prevalence ratio decreases with age, creating a role of female sex hormone exposure in RA risk. 

World Health Organization (WHO) in 2016 globally estimated that the mortality rate for musculoskeletal disorders is about 30% in men and 65% in women. 

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a prototypical non-inflammatory arthritis. Experts suggest women are at a strong risk of OA. However, a cross-sectional study brings conflicting results between estradiol level and radiographic knee OA, while another study showed a negative association. 

Now, let’s understand arthritis’s effect on age! 

People have a misconception that arthritis is an older disease. It is not. Studies have found that arthritis can affect young people. 

The CDC conducted a detailed study in 2022 to prove arthritis’s effect on adults and older people. Arthritis increases with increasing age. The ratio from 3.6% in adults between 18-34 years of age rises to 53.9% between the age group of 75. 

Research by the National Institute on Aging found that Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common type of arthritis that affects more than 80% of people over the age of 55. Factors such as obesity, diabetes, urban lifestyle, and increased waist circumference contribute toward arthritis. It can cause pain, stiffness, and swelling, slowly worsening the joints and tissues. 

Apart from gender and age, arthritis can also affect based on race. Research from the CDC observed arthritis in different races. 

• 19.2% of Black non-Hispanic adults 
• 20.7% of White non-Hispanic adults 
• 11.3% of Asian non-Hispanic 
• 22.5% of multiple-race non-Hispanic adults 

So, does arthritis affect everyone? Yes, arthritis can affect anyone, irrespective of age, gender, and race. Genetics, lifestyle modifications, obesity, certain injuries, and environmental factors are some causes that exist in everyone and can hit anyone at any time. 

Is There Any Way To Reduce The Risks of Arthritis?

There is no way you can prevent arthritis. However, you can reduce its risk. 

• Practice moderate aerobic activity for at least 150 minutes per week. 
• Avoid consumption of tobacco or alcohol. 
• Avoid staying in the same position for too long and take breaks to move around. 
• Eat a healthy diet rich in eggs and berries to reduce inflammation. 
• Keep your joints moving by practicing gentle stretches. 
• Visit a healthcare provider for regular checkups to notice any joint changes. 

How Can Regular Checkups Help with Diagnosis of Arthritis?nbsp;

Regular checkups are important for people with arthritis. It can help monitor the infection and disease and provide the correct treatment for arthritis. The Arthritis screening package from Redcliffe Labs can help you determine the presence of rheumatoid antibodies to detect the functioning of the eyes, blood vessels, skin, and heart. Redcliffe Labs is an omnichannel PAN India diagnostic service provider, making diagnostics easily accessible and convenient.