Arthritis
What is Arthritis?
One in seven people in New Zealand suffer from arthritis. There are many different forms of arthritis, of which osteoarthritis is the most common. Other types included rheumatoid arthritis and gout.
Osteoarthritis
In general, osteoarthritis - which often occurs as a result of ageing - causes erosion of cartilage covering the ends of bones, leading to stiffness and pain. This is the 'wear and tear' arthritis that occurs in the hips, knees and fingers.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic debilitating condition in which the body's own immune system attacks healthy tissue lining the joints. This leads to inflammation and destruction of the joint, which in turn causes pain, deformity and often permanent disability. Rheumatoid arthritis is diagnosed in up to 1% of the population and can affect anyone, including children. The majority of people with rheumatoid arthritis, however, typically develop the disease in their middle adult years (ages 35-50), with women affected three times more often than men. It is estimated that approximately 35,000 people in New Zealand, and 165 million people worldwide (total prevalence, based on The World Health Report 1998, WHO) have rheumatoid arthritis. Gout This disease mainly affects middle aged men. It is caused by the formation of crystals of uric acid. Genetic predisposition is a prime factor combined with obesity, high levels of blood cholesterol and uric acid. |
