Osteoarthritis Facts

About osteoarthritis

• Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most common forms of arthritis and affects nearly 27 million Americans and 151 million individuals worldwide
• Known as the “wear-and-tear” kind of arthritis, OA is a chronic condition characterized by the breakdown of a joint’s cartilage. Cartilage is the part of the joint that cushions the ends of the bones and allows for easy movement. The breakdown of cartilage causes the bones to rub against each other, causing stiffness, pain, and loss of movement in the joint
• A combination of factors can contribute to OA, including being overweight, aging, joint injury or stress, heredity, and muscle weakness. OA can affect the hands, the feet, the spine, or large weight-bearing joints, such as the hips and knees
• Worldwide, OA impacts approximately 18% of women and 9.6% of men aged 60 and above
• In the US alone, OA affects 13.9% of adults aged 25 and older and 33.6% (12.4 million) of those 65 and older
• From 1990 to 2005, the number of US adults affected by OA increased from 21 million to 26.9 million

Economic burden
Emotional burden
Treatment options in OA

The burden of OA

Economic burden

• In 2005, estimated direct costs of OA per patient per year totaled $4,729 in the US
• Arthritis and other rheumatic conditions, such as OA, cost the US economy nearly $128 billion per year in direct and indirect expenses

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Emotional burden

• Over 40% of patients surveyed said OA has had a negative impact on their daily life
• Over 75% said OA limits their ability to perform daily activities
• Over 75% said OA has had a negative impact on their physical health

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Treatment options

• Lifestyle changes can help remedy joint pain for some patients. For example, exercise can strengthen the muscles around a joint, making it more stable. Weight loss can also reduce pain by relieving pressure on joints
• Over-the-counter (OTC) medications, including acetaminophen and ibuprofen, are often used initially to help ease the pain and discomfort of OA
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are commonly prescribed to relieve pain and reduce inflammation. NSAIDs are the most prescribed types of medicines in the world. Approximately 70 million prescriptions for NSAIDs are dispensed annually in the United States. Commonly prescribed NSAIDs include prescription-strength ibuprofen and naproxen, as well as meloxicam and celecoxib

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The information on this Web site is not intended as medical advice and should not take the place of talking with your doctor about how to manage and treat your osteoarthritis. If you have any questions about osteoarthritis, talk to your doctor or health care provider. You should also talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you would like more information about VIMOVO.

Next: Arthritis Treatment Options