Nearly 50 million Americans, or about 1 in 5 adults suffered from arthritis, at a cost of $128 billion annually in 2003. These numbers are estimated to nearly double by 2030. The prevalence of arthritis increases with age, with approximately60% of people over 65 years of age suffering from this disease. The number of people over 65 with arthritis is expected to double by 2030. Arthritis can be initiated by inflammation of the joints, which can then progress to connexin dysfunction. Key tissues that are involved in arthritis line the joints, synovial cells, and cartilage cells (chondrocytes). When healthy, these cells are connected by connexin 43 and a smooth, intact lining is formed. Inflammatory molecules known to produce arthritis have been shown to close connexin 43 junctions leading to disruption of these tissues.
Arthritis (from Greek arthro-, joint + -itis, inflammation; plural: arthritides) is a group of conditions where there is damage caused to the joints of the body.
The first known traces of human arthritis date back as far as 4500 BC. It was noted in skeletal remains of Native Americans found in Tennessee and parts of what is now Olathe, Kansas. Evidence of arthritis has been found throughout history, from Ötzi, a mummy (circa 3000 BC) found along the border of modern Italy and Austria, to the Egyptian mummies circa 2590 BC.
There are many different forms of arthritis (more than 100), each of which has a different cause. The recommended method for classifying the particular type one may have is to completely and accurately describe your symptoms to a doctor that is familiar with different forms of arthritis and have the appropriate clinical, radiological and laboratory testing done to confirm the diagnosis.
The most common form of arthritis, osteoarthritis (also known as degenerative joint disease) occurs following trauma to a joint, following an infection of the joint or simply as a result of aging. Other forms of arthritis are rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis, which are autoimmune diseases in which the body is attacking itself. Septic arthritis is caused by joint infection. Gouty arthritis is caused by deposition of uric acid crystals in the joint that results in subsequent inflammation. Additionally, there is a less common form of gout that is caused by the formation of rhomboidal shaped crystals of calcium pyrophosphate. This form of gout is known as pseudogout.
Commonly classified forms of arthritis include:
All forms of arthritis generally feature pain. Osteoarthritis is classically worse at night or following rest. Rheumatoid arthritis is generally worse in the morning; in the early stages, patients often do not have symptoms following their morning shower.
Blood tests and X-rays of the affected may be performed to make the diagnosis of specific types of arthritis. Blood tests may include: rheumatoid factor, antinuclear factor (ANF), extractable nuclear antigen and specific antibodies.
Related Topics: Arthritis Treatment Options