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Show (BMI=kg/m2). A person was considered to be normal weight if their BMI was less than 25, overweight if their BMI was between 25 and 30, and obese if their BMI was 30 or greater. Additionally, outcomes associated with arthritis were assessed using the BRFSS. These outcomes included activity limitation, activity limitation due to pain, fair or poor health, poor mental health, and the ability to perform "usual daily activities." Characteristics of the BRFSS Sample Population During the year 2000, 2,891 individuals were sampled (49% male, 51% female). Surveys were conducted in all 12 local health districts. Age distribution was 16%, 20%, 21%, 18%, 11%, 9%, and 5% for ages 18-24, 25-34, 35-44, 45-54, 55-64, 65-74, and over 75, respectively. Distribution by race/ethnicity was 91% white, non-Hispanic, 1% black, non-Hispanic, 6% Hispanic, and 2% other. Distribution by income was 6%, 14%, 35%, 19%, 16%, and 11% for income less than $15,000, $15424,900, $25-$49,999, $50-$74,999, and over $75,000, respectively. Six percent of those sampled had less than a high school education, 29% had graduated high school, 37% had some college or tech school, and 28% had graduated college. Sixty-two percent of males were overweight or obese, and 43% of females were overweight or obese. Results Overall Arthritis Prevalence Thirty-one percent of Utah adults (approximately 449,000 individuals) had arthritis in 2000. Twenty-nine percent of these 449,000 individuals (approximately 130,200 individuals) were not diagnosed by a physician. These 130,200 undiagnosed individuals represent approximately 9% of the total Utah adult population. Prevalence by Non-Modifiable Risks: Age, Gender, Race/Ethnicity Thirty-one percent of Utah adults over the age of 18 reported having arthritis. Arthritis prevalence is greater (p<0.001) among females (35%) than males (27%). The prevalence of arthritis increases with age in Utah (p<0.0001), rising from 13% among persons 18-34, to 27% among persons 35-49, to over half (52%) among persons 50-64, and 58% among those over 65. No differences were observed by gender within age groups (p>0.05, Figure 1). Additionally, nearly three-fourths (74%) of Utah residents with arthritis were between the ages of 18 and 64. No significant differences were observed in prevalence by race and ethnicity (p>0.05). Prevalence was 32%, 29%, and 25% for White, Non-Hispanic; Non-White, Non-Hispanic; and Hispanic Utah adults, respectively (Figure 2). Potentially Modifiable Risks: Income and Education Among Utah adults, an increased prevalence of arthritis is associated with lower income. The prevalence of arthritis is 1.6 times greater among adults living in households with an annual income of less than $20,000, than those earning $50,000 or more (p<0.01). Forty-three percent of those with income less than $20,000 had arthritis, 31% of those with income between $20,000 and $49,999 had arthritis, and 26% of those with income greater than $50,000 had arthritis. No differences were observed in prevalence by education level (p>0.05). Prevalence was 33%, 31%, and 28% among adults with a high school education or less, adults with some college education, and adults with a college education, respectively. Modifiable Risks: Overweight/Obesity and Physical Activity The prevalence of arthritis among Utah adults who are obese is 1.6 times greater than among those who have a normal body weight (p<0.0001, Figure 3). About 25% of overweight and obese persons with arthritis reported they were trying to lose weight, compared to 13% of overweight and obese persons without arthritis. Arthritis prevalence is lower in physically active adults when compared to physically inactive adults (p<0.001). Prevalence is approximately 30% among adults who are physically active (participating in regular or irregular physical activity) and 40% in adults who are physically inactive (Figure 4). There was no significant relationship between the presence of obesity and the level of physical activity (r = -0.099). Arthritis Related Health Outcomes When persons with doctor-diagnosed arthritis and CJS were asked if they were limited in any activities because of a physical, mental or emotional problem, they reported activity limitation twice as frequently as persons without arthritis (p<0.0001, Figure 5). Utah adults with arthritis were ten times more likely to report that pain limited their activities for 15 to 30 days during the past month than those without arthritis, and only 70% as likely to report their activities were not limited by pain on any day during the preceding month than those without arthritis (p<0.0001, Figure 5). Utah adults with arthritis were three times as likely to report being in fair or poor health than adults without arthritis (p<0.0001). Among those with arthritis, Utah's Health: An Annual Review Volume VIII 15 |
