In 1998, there were 43 million people with arthritis.
Arthritis is second only to heart disease as a cause of work disability.
It results in 39 million physician visits per year and more than half a million hospitalizations. Fortunately, pharmaceutical research is targeting arthritis. Pharmaceutical companies are currently testing 28 new treatments for arthritis, and three new medicines considered significant advances in the treatment of arthritis were approved in 1998. These medicines can greatly improve the quality of life for arthritis patients by helping them perform such routine daily tasks as carrying groceries, climbing stairs and walking a few blocks. Arthritis used to slow her down, but a new medicine now helps to alleviate pain and swelling in a remarkable new way.