What Is Osteoarthritis?
3. Statistics
In the United States, osteoarthritis affects more than 20 million people. If osteoarthritis is based on the radiographic criteria, more than 50% of those above the age of 65 are affected. Globally, osteoarthritis is the commonest joint disease and its frequency varies in different populations.
Symptoms of osteoarthritis do not generally become significant until the individual is above the age of 50. The prevalence of osteoarthritis increases dramatically among those above the age of 50. This is probably due to the collagen alterations and decrease of proteoglycans due to age. Osteoarthritis is observed to be more common among women compared to men. Female patients are more susceptible to osteoarthritis in the fingers and knee joints. Osteoarthritis has been observed to be more common in Native Americans, African Americans (especially women), and the Chinese.
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