Arthritis no longer an ‘older person’s’ disease
Arthritis is commonly known as an older person’s disease, but a recent Arthritis SA survey shows a change, revealing the debilitating condition will affect 30% of all people in SA aged over 18 years by 2020. The survey finds a quarter of all South Australians are living with arthritis, with the number expected to increase over the years.
Arthritis is commonly known as an older person’s disease, but a recent Arthritis SA survey shows a change, revealing the debilitating condition will affect 30% of all people in SA aged over 18 years by 2020.
The survey finds a quarter of all South Australians are living with arthritis, with the number expected to increase over the years. The national average is reportedly one in five people, but younger people are expected to develop the condition.
Arthritis SA chief executive, Julie Black, raises the concern that more than 90,000 living with arthritis in South Australia “do not know the type of arthritis they are suffering from”.
“[This] shows they’re not getting access to the right advice and support to manage their condition,” Ms Black claims.
“People are aware of the most common types of arthritis such as rheumatoid and osteoarthritis but there are more than 150 types, many of which people wouldn’t recognise as arthritis.”
Arthritis is the term given to more than 100 medical conditions which affect the musculoskeletal system, specifically joints, causing pain, stiffness, inflammation and damage to cartilage.
Ms Black, who claims arthritis is the major cause of disability and pain in Australia, says they are concerned sufferers’ self-diagnosis may lead to developing their own treatment plans which may not necessarily relieve them of pain.
“Our research showed that while GPs are the main source of information and advice, people living with arthritis are increasingly using the internet for information and self-treatment,” she says.
