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Arthritis

Arthritis and joint diseases are a serious health problem because they cause intense pain and significantly inhibit mobility. These conditions affect primarily older Americans and women, who are more likely to develop arthritis than men are. However, men, young adults, adolescents and even children suffer from arthritis and other joint diseases. The most common conditions are osteoarthritis, which affects approximately 27 million people in the U.S. and rheumatoid arthritis, which affects approximately 1.3 million people. An alarming condition called juvenile arthritis is also increasing, and affects over 300,000 children.


What is Arthritis?

Osteoarthritis is a chronic disease caused by the breakdown of the joints’ cartilage, which covers and cushions parts of the joint to allow for smooth movement. The breakdown of cartilage causes bones to rub against each other, causing stiffness, pain and loss of movement in the joint. Often, osteoarthritis sufferers limp when they walk or have trouble with everyday tasks. Additionally, large, bony spurs develop near the ends of bones, which can further inhibit function.

Rheumatoid Arthritis is an autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system attacks healthy joint tissue, causing inflammation and damage. In many cases, the disease affects other parts of the body such as the blood, lungs, and heart. The symptoms vary from person to person but the most prominent ones are tenderness, warmth, swelling, and pain in the joints. Rheumatoid arthritis causes inflammation of the joint lining which leads to reduced joint movement and loss of function. Oftentimes sufferers also experience chronic fatigue, fever, and general sense of malaise.


The Role of Weight

Despite extensive research, the causes of rheumatoid arthritis are largely unknown. However, scientists know that several different factors can increase the risk of developing osteoarthritis, including age, obesity, sports injury and genetics. Obesity and weight is a relevant and significant risk factor to osteoarthritis as well as many other joint diseases. According to the National Arthritis Foundation, for every pound one gains, 3 pounds of added pressure are placed on the knees and six times the pressure us added on the hips. Since weight gain gradually increases the stress on joints, the weight gained the decade before one develops arthritis symptoms, particularly in middle age, plays a big role in determining if a person will develop osteoarthritis or other diseases later in life.


Research Studies

  • Stretching and walking help ease arthritis pain and disability
      A group of researchers from the Nottingham City Hospital in Nottingham, UK, conducted a systematic review of 13 studies that compared walking with strengthening exercises (specifically quadriceps exercises) in subjects with osteoarthritis of the knee. They measured the resulting pain and self-reported disability felt by the subjects in all 13 randomized control studies. The authors concluded that both leg strengthening exercises and walking were beneficial to both pain and self-reported disability, and that there was no significant difference between the two.1

  • Exercise protects against functional decline!
      A study published by the Journal of Arthritis Care & Research confirms that exercise is important in preventing arthritis. Researchers followed 3,554 subjects for over 2 years and recorded their physical activity habits. Participants who were inactive had 37% increase in disabilities as compared with and 27% for those achieving recommended amounts of exercise (30 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity five days per week). The study confirms that regular exercise decreases the likelihood of developing arthritis-related disabilities by 10% among arthritis suffers and protects against functional decline.2

  • Low-impact physical activity helps control the symptoms of arthritis
      Low-impact exercise, such as walking, is highly beneficial in the management of arthritis! Researchers at the University of Kansas Medical Center’s School of Nursing conducted a study to determine the effects of participation in a low-impact walking program on fatigue, pain, depression and functional abilities. A sample of 220 adults with rheumatoid arthritis was divided into 3 groups: group class exercise, home exercise using a videotape, and a control group. Measures were obtained at baseline, after 6 weeks, and after 12 weeks of exercise. The participants who exercised experienced significantly less fatigue, pain and anxiety and were characterized with increased functionality as compared to the control group.3

  • Researchers conduct a cost-benefits analysis of high-impact activity for arthritis sufferers
      A recently published review article investigates the effectiveness of exercise interventions in improving disease-related characteristics in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and cardiovascular disease. Authors identified articled published from 1974 through 2006 regarding exercise interventions for rheumatoid arthritis patients, of which 40 studies were chosen to be included in the systemic review. No studies were found investigating exercise interventions in relation to cardiovascular disease in RA, however cardiovascular disease has been associated with rheumatoid arthritis. The authors conclude that there is strong evidence suggesting that exercise from low to high intensity is effective in improving disease-related characteristics, reducing cardiovascular disease and increasing functional ability in RA patients.4


    References:

    1Roddy E, Zhang W and Doherty M. (2005). Aerobic walking or strengthening exercise for osteoarthritis of the knee? A systematic review. Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases, 64, 544-548.

    2Feinglass J, et al. (2005). Effect of physical activity on functional status among older middle-age adults with arthritis. Arthritis Care & Research, 53, 879-885.

    3Neuberger GB, et al. (2007). Predictors of exercise and effects of exercise on symptoms, function, aerobic fitness, and disease outcomes of arthritis. Arthritis & Rheumatism, 57(6), 943-52.

    4Metsios GS, et al (2008). Rheumatoid arthritis, cardiovascular disease and physical exercise: A systematic review. Rheumatology, 47(3), 239-248.


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