Arthritis is a catchall term for a complex family of musculoskeletal disorders, consisting of more than 100 different diseases or conditions that destroy joints, bones, muscles, cartilage and other connective tissues, hampering or halting physical movement, according to The Arthritis Foundation.
Deeper dive
When writing about older adults and arthritis, it’s helpful to understand the differences between the most common forms and how each affects the body.
- Osteoarthritis is most common, affecting about 34% of adults over age 65. It’s often characterized by joint stiffness and transient to severe joint pain, especially in weight-bearing joints such as knees and hips; it can also affect the hands, back and neck, according to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. Women are more likely than men to have osteoarthritis, especially after menopause.
- Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is an auto-immune disease which causes the body to attack its own tissues, especially the synovium, a thin membrane which lines the joints. The attacks result in painful fluid build-up in the joints and inflammation throughout the body. It commonly affects the hand, but can also strike other joints. About 1.3 million adults (1%) in the United States have RA, which affects both sides of the body symmetrically. Women are three times more likely to develop RA than men. It is considered a chronic disease and there is no cure.
- Common treatments include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to reduce inflammation and symptoms and disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs or agents that may put RA in remission. Older adults may experience some side effects of long-term NSAID use such as gastrointestinal bleeding, which has serious health repercussions. Disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) are a standard treatment when NSAIDs alone are not enough, but may also have serious side effects and seem to lose efficacy during long-term treatment.
- Gout is another form of arthritis that leads to painful joint swelling. It occurs when uric acid builds up and forms tiny crystals instead of passing through the body normally. When crystals form in joints, they become very painful, swollen, and stiff. Gout often begins in the big toe, but can also affect ankles, knees, and other major joints.
Arthritis can make activities of daily living (ADLs) difficult to perform and may affect the ability of an older person to age-in-place.