Osteoarthritis causes joint stiffness and pain during movement. It occurs most frequently in people over age 50.In the United States, osteoarthritis affects 16 million or about 64 out of 1,000 people. Kay lectured on rheumatoid arthritis, which causes inflammation of the joints and internal organs. Rheumatoid arthritis affects about 1 percent of the population. Kay noted contrary to popular belief, exercise benefits persons with rheumatoid arthritis.
Regular exercise can strengthen muscles and reduce weakness and disability.
Walker, practices rheumatology at Harry S. Truman Memorial Veteran's Hospital, is a co-investigator for two Missouri Arthritis Rehabilitation Research and Training Center projects. The goal of one project is to reduce pain and health-care costs in rheumatoid arthritis patients through depression management. The other project is developing seminars to educate health-care professionals about advances in arthritis research. Kay is a retired clinical associate professor from the MU Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Immunology and Rheumatology. While Kay and Walker had little previous experience with international medicine, their visit to Pakistan and India left them eager to travel more.