According to Callahan et al. Arthritis was reported by more women than chronic sinusitis, hypertension, orthopedic deformities, hay fever or rhinitis, hearing impairments, chronic bronchitis, asthma, diabetes, ischemic heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, breast neoplasm and other selected conditions.
Arthritis is projected to remain the most prevalent chronic condition in women.
The factors associated with the risk of increased activity limitations in women due to arthritis were similar to the risk factors for the prevalence of arthritis in women, including age, body mass index, formal education level, income and race. Rates of activity limitation attributed to arthritis were greater in women with fewer years of formal education. When the average prevalence estimate of activity limitations caused by arthritis was compared to prevalence estimates of other chronic conditions affecting women, arthritis was the most common self-reported chronic condition affecting activity limitations in women. And, despite the substantial limitations in activity reported in these analyses, the true impact of arthritis on activity limitations is not reflected in these estimates. Activity limitations in women due to arthritis secondary to other comorbid conditions are not even accounted for in this analysis.