Arthritis refers to more than 100 conditions and diseases affecting the joints or connective tissues. It can develop suddenly or gradually and may lead to serious complications such as kidney disease, blindness or early death. Arthritis affects about 1 in 5 U.S. adults.
Symptoms
Your symptoms will depend on the type of arthritis you have, but common symptoms can include:
- Joint pain
- Stiffness
- Swelling of joints and surrounding tissues
Common Types of Arthritis
- Ankylosing spondylitis
- Fibromyalgia
- Gout
- Juvenile arthritis
- Osteoarthritis
- Psoriatic arthritis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Scleroderma
- Systemic lupus erythematosus (Lupus or SLE)
For more information on specific types of arthritis, visit the Arthritis Foundation.
Data & Statistical Reports
Missouri's Information for Community Assessment (MICA)
Allows for generation of a table by disease condition for a specific diagnosis, year of occurrence, age, race, sex, county and/or zip code.
Community Data Profiles
Both state and county-specific data is available for categories such as cause of death, mortality (death), and hospitalizations related to arthritis/lupus and other diseases.
Training - Leaders - Volunteers
Training for Leaders
Several programs benefit individuals with arthritis that need leaders. These include:
- Arthritis Foundation Self-Help Course;
- Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP);
- Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program; and
- Arthritis Foundation Aquatics Program.
If you want to lead a class in your community at your local church, community or senior center, etc., please contact your local chapter of the Arthritis Foundation. Become a leader and start a class in your community today.
Volunteer
Get Involved! It's fun, makes you feel good, and you can help individuals in your community. Each year we rely on people just like you to help improve the quality of life and reduce disability for individuals with arthritis and osteoporosis.
There are many ways you can volunteer and help others - teaching classes, leading support groups, participating on committees/boards, working in the office, starting a walking club, participating in state and national events, etc. Contact your local chapter of the Arthritis Foundation to volunteer today. You can make a difference.
Related Links
Arthritis
- American College of Rheumatology
- Arthritis Foundation
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- John Hopkins Arthritis Center
- Mayo Clinic Arthritis
- National Institutes of Arthritis & Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
- NIH Arthritis
Assistive Devices
Clinical Trials
- National Institutes of Health (NIH) Clinical Trials List
- Arthritis Foundation Clinical Trial Navigator
Nutrition
It is recommended that all people consult their physician, registered dietitian, certified diabetes educator or other healthcare professional for nutritional counseling.
- Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
- Food and Nutrition Information Center (FNIC)
- Nutrition Action Health
Research
- Creighton University Osteoporosis Research Center
- John Hopkins
- St. Louis University
- University of Missouri - Columbia
- Washington University