Epidemiology of Arthritis and Activity Limitations

Arthritis encompasses a group of musculoskeletal disorders marked by joint inflammation, pain and progressive loss of function. Globally, the prevalence of arthritis has risen over recent decades, driven by population ageing, changing lifestyles and the growing burden of obesity and metabolic disease. Osteoarthritis is the most common form, followed by inflammatory types such as rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis. These conditions impose significant activity limitations, ranging from difficulty with basic mobility and self‐care to restrictions in social participation and employment. Disparities in prevalence and severity are observed by age, sex, socioeconomic status and geographic region. Comorbid chronic conditions—including cardiovascular disease, diabetes and mental health disorders—amplify the impact of arthritis on quality of life. Epidemiological surveillance informs prevention strategies, resource allocation and the design of community and clinical interventions to preserve function and reduce disability.

Research from Nature Portfolio

A population‐based analysis of national health survey data spanning 2005–2018 documented a steady, linear rise in self‐reported osteoarthritis among adults. This work revealed widening disparities by race, ethnicity and socioeconomic status, with non-Hispanic White individuals and those of higher economic means exhibiting higher age-adjusted prevalence but a steeper upward trend across all groups. Adjusted analyses confirmed that these trends persisted after accounting for obesity, comorbidity and lifestyle factors, underscoring the multifactorial drivers of osteoarthritis expansion. Findings emphasise the need for tailored public health efforts to mitigate risk factors and for ongoing monitoring of demographic subgroups at greatest risk of rapid prevalence increases.

Epidemiology of Arthritis and Activity Limitations publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in epidemiology of arthritis and activity limitations across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Prevalence: The proportion of a population affected by a condition at a given time.

Osteoarthritis (OA): A degenerative joint disease characterised by cartilage breakdown, bone remodelling and pain.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA): An autoimmune disorder in which systemic inflammation targets synovial joints, causing pain and deformity.

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA): An inflammatory arthritis associated with psoriasis, affecting joints and entheses.

Arthritis-Attributable Activity Limitation (AAAL): Self-reported restriction in daily activities directly resulting from arthritis symptoms.

References

1. Trends and disparities in osteoarthritis prevalence among US adults, 2005–2018. Scientific Reports (2021).
2. Trends in prevalence of arthritis by race among adults in the United States, 2011–2018. BMC Public Health (2024).
3. Vital Signs: Prevalence of Doctor-Diagnosed Arthritis and Arthritis-Attributable Activity Limitation — United States, 2013–2015. MMWR Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (2017).
4. Prevalence of Arthritis and Arthritis-Attributable Activity Limitation — United States, 2016–2018. MMWR Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (2021).