Definition

Percentage of persons who have ever been told by a doctor or other health professional that they have some form of arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, lupus, or fibromyalgia.

Numerator

Includes survey respondents ages 18 and older who reported being told by a doctor or other health professional that they had some form of arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, lupus, or fibromyalgia. Excludes those with missing, don't know, and refused answers.

Denominator

Includes survey respondents ages 18 and older. Excludes those with missing, don't know, or refused answers.

Data Interpretation Issues

Because age affects the likelihood of having arthritis, it is beneficial to adjust for the effect of age when comparing populations. This helps determine if certain populations have factors that contribute to arthritis prevalence other than the effect of age. Beginning in 2011, BRFSS data included both landline and cell phone respondent data along with a new weighting methodology called iterative proportional fitting, or raking. This methodology utilizes additional demographic information (such as education, race, and marital status) in the weighting procedure. Both of these methodology changes were implemented to account for an increased number of U.S. households without landline phones and an under-representation of certain demographic groups that were not well-represented in the sample. More details about these changes can be found at: [https://ibis.utah.gov/ibisph-view/pdf/opha/resource/brfss/RakingImpact2011.pdf].

Why Is This Important?

Arthritis affects 54 million adults (1 in every 4) in the United States and is projected to increase. Arthritis is a leading cause of disability and is associated with substantial activity limitation, work disability, and reduced quality of life. In 2023, the percentage of Utah adults aged 18 and older with arthritis was 22.0% (crude rate). This represents approximately 555,885 individuals based on the estimated Utah population 18 and older for 2023.

How Are We Doing?

More than 1 in 5 Utah adults reported having arthritis over the past several years. As people age, the likelihood of having arthritis increases. For example, 6.1% of adults aged 18-34 reported having arthritis whereas 51.8% adults 65 years and older reported having arthritis (combined years 2021-2023). As the older adult population increases in the coming years, the prevalence of arthritis is also projected to increase. Women 65 years and older were the most likely to have arthritis with 56.1% reporting arthritis. This was significantly greater than the rate for men of the same age (46.8%). Women were more likely to have arthritis for all age groups. Other groups that were less likely to have arthritis included college graduates, Hispanics, and adults making more than $75,000 a year when compared to those with less education, non-Hispanics, and those making less than $75,000 a year, respectively. Arthritis prevalence also differed by geographic location. The age-adjusted prevalence of arthritis (combined years 2021-2023) in local health districts ranged from a low of 19.7% in Summit County to a high of 29.5% in Southeast Utah. Health districts with rates significantly lower than the state rate included Salt Lake County and Utah County. Health districts with rates significantly higher than the state rate included Davis County, Tooele County, Weber-Morgan, and Southeast.

How Do We Compare With the U.S.?

The age-adjusted prevalence of arthritis in Utah was 22.7% in 2023, which was the similar to the U.S. age-adjusted rate of 24.0%.

What Is Being Done?

The Healthy Aging Program focuses on measuring the occurrence of arthritis in Utah, increasing arthritis awareness and educational opportunities, and promoting participation in programs proven to help persons with arthritis, pain, and other chronic conditions. Additionally, the Healthy Aging Program supports health systems, clinics, and physicians using strategies and resources that support healthcare provider-patient counseling to increase physical activity and referrals to the evidence-based workshops and exercise classes [https://www.selfmanagementresource.com/programs proven] to help patients improve their mental and physical health.

Evidence-based Practices

The Healthy Aging Program partners with healthcare, nonprofit, and government organizations across Utah to deliver evidence-based workshops to help people better manage arthritis, pain, and other chronic conditions. Schedules and locations of these workshops can be found at [https://healthyaging.utah.gov/]. The Healthy Aging Program recommends and supports the *Chronic Disease Self-Management Education programs, EnhanceFitness, Walk With Ease, Stepping On, Tai Chi, and the Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program which have been proven to improve the quality of life for people with arthritis and other chronic conditions. *Chronic Disease Self-Management Education programs include:[[br]] - Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP) as known as Living Well with Chronic Conditions[[br]] - Diabetes Self-Management Program (DSMP) also known as Living Well with Diabetes[[br]] - Chronic Pain Self-Management Program (CPSMP) also known as Living Well with Chronic Pain[[br]] - Tomando Control de su Salud (Spanish CDSMP)[[br]] - Programa de Manejo Personal del Dolor Crnico (Spanish CPSMP)[[br]] - Programa de Manejo Personal de la Diabetes (Spanish DSMP) [[br]] [[br]] For additional information on these programs visit [https://www.cdc.gov/arthritis/programs/] or [https://healthyaging.utah.gov/].

Available Services

To find and register for an evidence-based program in your area please visit:[[br]] [https://healthyaging.utah.gov/find-workshop/#/][[br]] or call the Health Resource Line at:[[br]] 1-888-222-2542[[br]] Other resources for people with arthritis are available at: Utah Department of Health and Human Services[[br]] Healthy Aging Program[[br]] Office of Health Promotion and Prevention[[br]] [https://healthyaging.utah.gov/] Arthritis Foundation[[br]] 1355 Peachtree Street, Suite 600[[br]] Atlanta, Georgia 30309[[br]] 1(800) 283-7800[[br]] 888-391-9389 Information Evidence-Based Programs:[[br]] [https://www.selfmanagementresource.com/][[br]] [http://www.projectenhance.org/] Rheumatologists in Utah[[br]] [http://health.usnews.com/doctors/city-index/utah/rheumatologists]

Health Program Information

The vision of the Healthy Aging Program is to increase self-management skills and improve the quality of life for all Utahns affected by arthritis and other chronic conditions. The Healthy Aging Program provides technical assistance and coordination to increase awareness, expand reach, and achieve sustainability of evidence-based self-management programs for all Utahns affected by arthritis and other chronic conditions through statewide partnerships. Contact healthyaging@utah.gov for questions about providing, referring, or increasing physician counseling for patients into evidence-based programs. Visit [https://healthyaging.utah.gov/find-workshop/#/ the Find a Workshop Feature] to find a workshop for yourself or a loved one.

Relevant Population Characteristics

The population characteristic most relevant to arthritis is the age distribution of the population. As the Utah population ages, a greater percentage of Utahns will be at risk for developing arthritis. People with arthritis are also more likely to have another chronic condition.

Health Care System Factors

The aging population in Utah is likely to lead to an increase in the prevalence of arthritis that can have dramatic consequences in terms of disability and health care expenditures. Access to health care is still a problem for many Utahns. Individuals who cannot obtain needed health care tend to have higher rates of death and disability from chronic disease. Cost is the most commonly reported barrier to getting needed health care.

Risk Factors

The prevalence of arthritis increases with age. Females are more likely to report arthritis than males. White, non-Hispanic individuals are more likely to report arthritis than Hispanic persons. Having one or more chronic condition is also a risk factor of arthritis. Specific genes are associated with a higher risk of certain types of arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic lupus erythematous (SLE), and ankylosing spondylitis. Other risk factors include joint injuries, infection, and occupations that involve repetitive knee bending and squatting.

Health Status Outcomes

In 2023, 28.5% of Utah adults with arthritis reported being in fair or poor health, and 36.6% reported experiencing 7 or more days in the last month when their physical health was not good (age-adjusted rates). The relationship between arthritis and mental health is of great importance as 38.2% of adults with arthritis reported 7 or more days of poor mental health in the past month. This is significantly higher than the 20.9% of adults without arthritis that reported 7 or more days or poor mental health in the past month (age-adjusted rates).

Arthritis prevalence increases as people age and is significantly more common among women than men. For combined years 2021-2023, 6.1% of Utah adults aged 18-34 and 51.8% of adults 65 years and older reported having arthritis. Women 65 years and older were the most likely to have arthritis with more than 1 in 2 women having a diagnosis of arthritis (56.1%).

Data Notes

Doctor-diagnosed arthritis was self-reported and was not confirmed by a healthcare provider; however, such self-reports have been shown to be acceptable for surveillance purposes.

Data Source

Utah Department of Health and Human Services Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) [https://ibis.utah.gov/ibisph-view/query/selection/brfss/BRFSSSelection.html]

People of Hispanic ethnicity are significantly less likely to report having arthritis those that are non-Hispanic.

Data Notes

Doctor-diagnosed arthritis was self-reported and was not confirmed by a healthcare provider; however, such self-reports have been shown to be acceptable for surveillance purposes.   [[br]] [[br]] Age-adjusted to the U.S. 2000 standard population for comparison purposes. Age-adjusted rates are based on 5 age groups: 18-24, 25-34, 35-44, 45-64, and 65+.

Data Source

Utah Department of Health and Human Services Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) [https://ibis.utah.gov/ibisph-view/query/selection/brfss/BRFSSSelection.html]

The age-adjusted prevalence of arthritis for combined years 2021-2023 in local health districts ranged from a low of 19.7% in Summit County Health District to a high of 29.5% in Southeast Utah Health District. Health districts with arthritis prevalence significantly lower than the state rate included Utah County and Salt Lake County. Health districts with rates significantly higher than the state rate included Davis County, Tooele County, Weber-Morgan, and Southeast Utah.

Data Notes

Doctor-diagnosed arthritis was self-reported and was not confirmed by a healthcare provider; however, such self-reports have been shown to be acceptable for surveillance purposes.   [[br]][[br]] Age-adjusted to the U.S. 2000 standard population for comparison purposes. Age-adjusted rates are based on 5 age groups: 18-24, 25-34, 35-44, 45-64, and 65+.

For combined years 2021-2023, those of Asian and other race had a significantly lower prevalence of arthritis than all races combined.

Data Notes

Doctor-diagnosed arthritis was self-reported and was not confirmed by a healthcare provider; however, such self-reports have been shown to be acceptable for surveillance purposes.   [[br]] [[br]] Please note that in 2023 the question for race changed. These categories represent respondents reporting a single race alone. If multiple races were given, responses are in the "Two or more races" category. Age-adjusted to the U.S. 2000 standard population for comparison purposes. Age-adjusted rates for race are based on three age groups: 18-34, 35-49, and 50+.

Data Source

Utah Department of Health and Human Services Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) [https://ibis.utah.gov/ibisph-view/query/selection/brfss/BRFSSSelection.html]

Among adults 25 years of age and older, college graduates were significantly less likely to report having arthritis than all other adults with fewer years of education.

Data Notes

Doctor-diagnosed arthritis was self-reported and was not confirmed by a healthcare provider; however, such self-reports have been shown to be acceptable for surveillance purposes.   [[br]] [[br]] Age-adjusted to the U.S. 2000 standard population for comparison purposes. Age-adjusted rates are based on four age groups: 25-34, 35-44, 45-64, and 65+.

Data Source

Utah Department of Health and Human Services Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) [https://ibis.utah.gov/ibisph-view/query/selection/brfss/BRFSSSelection.html]

The prevalence of arthritis decreases with increasing annual income. For those people making less than $25,000 per year, 29.8% reported having arthritis. This was significantly more than the 20.9% of people with arthritis among those making $75,000 or more per year.

Data Notes

Doctor-diagnosed arthritis was self-reported and was not confirmed by a healthcare provider; however, such self-reports have been shown to be acceptable for surveillance purposes.   [[br]] [[br]] Age-adjusted rates are based on 5 age groups: 18-24, 25-34, 35-44, 45-64, and 65+.

Data Source

Utah Department of Health and Human Services Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) [https://ibis.utah.gov/ibisph-view/query/selection/brfss/BRFSSSelection.html]

Disability status and arthritis prevalence are positively correlated. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, arthritis is a [https://www.cdc.gov/arthritis/basics/index.html leading cause of work disability among adults].

Data Notes

Doctor-diagnosed arthritis was self-reported and was not confirmed by a healthcare provider; however, such self-reports have been shown to be acceptable for surveillance purposes.

Data Source

Utah Department of Health and Human Services Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) [https://ibis.utah.gov/ibisph-view/query/selection/brfss/BRFSSSelection.html]

For [[a href="pdf/resource/UtahSmallAreaInfo.pdf" Utah Small Areas]], arthritis prevalence ranged from a high of 31.1% in Carbon County to a low of 15.0% in Morgan County. Utah Small Areas with arthritis prevalence significantly greater than the state rate included: Clearfield Area/Hooper, Roy/Hooper, Richfield/Monroe/Salina, Ben Lomond, and Carbon County. Utah Small Areas with arthritis prevalence significantly less than the overall state rate included: Morgan County, Salt Lake City (Avenues), Park City, Cottonwood, and Draper.

Data Notes

Doctor-diagnosed arthritis was self-reported and was not confirmed by a healthcare provider; however, such self-reports have been shown to be acceptable for surveillance purposes.   [[br]][[br]] A description and boundaries of the Utah Small Areas may be found at: [https://ibis.utah.gov/ibisph-view/pdf/resource/UtahSmallAreaInfo.pdf]. Age-adjusted to the U.S. 2000 standard population for comparison purposes. Age-adjusted rates are based on five age groups: 18-24, 25-34, 35-44, 45-64, and 65+.

Data Source

Utah Department of Health and Human Services Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) [https://ibis.utah.gov/ibisph-view/query/selection/brfss/BRFSSSelection.html]

Arthritis prevalence in Utah has been under the U.S. average for multiple years. In 2019, Utah outpaced the U.S. arthritis prevalence and surpassed the average. This went back down in 2020 and has maintained it's status under the U.S. average since then. In 2022, the average rate of arthritis was 24% in the U.S. and 23.2% in Utah.

Data Notes

Doctor-diagnosed arthritis was self-reported and was not confirmed by a healthcare provider; however, such self-reports have been shown to be acceptable for surveillance purposes.   [[br]] [[br]]Age-adjusted to the U.S. 2000 standard population. Age-adjusted rates are based on 5 age groups: 18-24, 25-34, 35-44, 45-64, and 65+.

References and community resources

Utah Healthy Aging Program[[br]] [https://healthyaging.utah.gov/][[br]] [[br]] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention[[br]] [https://www.cdc.gov/arthritis/][[br]] [[br]] American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation[[br]] [http://www.aapmr.org/][[br]] [[br]] American College of Rheumatology[[br]] [https://rheumatology.org/patient-information][[br]] [[br]] Arthritis Foundation[[br]] [https://www.arthritis.org/][[br]] [[br]] National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases[[br]] [http://www.niams.nih.gov/]