About 220,000 young people in the United States — children and adolescents under the age of 18 — have been diagnosed with arthritis, a disease commonly associated with older adults. A report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The findings are based on an analysis of data from the Census Bureau’s National Survey of Child Health for 2017 to 2021. Data came from parents of 173,406 youth, with responses reflecting a nationally representative sample.
The pain and stiffness of arthritis stems from inflammation (swelling and tenderness) in one or more joints. Although it can affect any joint, Juvenile arthritis – It is called in young people – mostly affects the knees, hands and feet. Medical experts say it can be caused by the immune system mistakenly attacking the tissues in the joints.
The right reason Gout in youth Mostly undecided. But the Arthritis Foundation says there is no evidence that juvenile arthritis is caused by foods, toxins, allergens or vitamin deficiencies.
The CDC report found that the prevalence of arthritis among children and adolescents increases with age, and that those with arthritis are more likely to be overweight or have anxiety, depression, or heart conditions than youth without arthritis. The report also noted that “the prevalence of arthritis among black children and adolescents was twice that of whites.”
Treatment for juvenile arthritis may be twofold: medications to treat inflammation and stiffness and pain, along with physical therapy to improve mobility, endurance, and muscle strength.
A A similar statement Focusing on adults, based on data from 2019 to 2021, more than 21 percent of American adults — about 53 million people, more women than men — have been diagnosed with some form of arthritis, a number that has risen by roughly half. People 65 and older with another chronic disease.
This article is part of The Post’s “Big Number” series, which takes a brief look at the statistical side of health problems. Additional information and related research are available through hyperlinks.
