Arthritis in Wisconsin Facts

Arthritis by Prevalence
Arthritis is very common chronic condition in Wisconsin. About 28% of adults aged 18 years and older (1.1 million) reported that they have some form of arthritis during 2003-2007. In the US it is 26% of adults.

Arthritis by Characteristics
Although arthritis affects both men and women, women have higher prevalence rate. During 2003-2007 about 31% of Wisconsin women (647,000) reported arthritis in comparison to 24% of Wisconsin men (484,000).

Arthritis affects persons of all races and ethnicities: Of adults with arthritis 28% are white; 27% are African American; 27% are Hispanic; and 18% are of other race.

Of those with arthritis, 37.8 % have limitations in daily activities.

Over 57% of Wisconsinites, over 65 years of age, have arthritis.

Adults who are overweight or obese are more likely to have arthritis than those of normal weight. In Wisconsin 33% of those who were obese reported they also had arthritis compared to 20% without arthritis. Weight category is based on body mass index (BMI), a measurement based on height and weight. Weight categories are normal, overweight, and obese. A normal weight is a BMI of 19 and less than 25; overweight is a BMI of 25 and less than 30. Obese is a BMI of 30 or greater. ⁽¹⁾

Over 50% of adults with diabetes and heart disease also have arthritis.

An estimated 5,400 Wisconsin children have arthritis.

Arthritis Interventions
In 2003 and 2005 only 10.5% of Wisconsin residents have taken a class to learn to manage their symptoms.

Arthritis Costs
In Wisconsin costs related to arthritis and rheumatic conditions total nearly $2.4 billion per year. This amount includes $1.5 billion in direct costs (i.e., medical expenditures) and $895 million in indirect costs (i.e., lost earnings). ^(2,3)

See Arthritis in Wisconsin - 2009 Burden Report. (PDF, 8.53 MB)

References:

1. Website: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/guidelines/obesity/bmi_tbl.pdf (PDF, Exit DHS)
2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Impact of arthritis and other rheumatic conditions on the health care system – United States , 1997. MMWR 1999; 48:349-53.
3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National and state expenditures and lost earnings attributable to arthritis and other rheumatic conditions – United States 2003. MMWR 2007; 56:338.
4. All other information is based on Wisconsin Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 2003-2007.

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Last Revised: September 26, 2011