Arthritis: its prevalence, risk factors, and association with cardiovascular diseases in the United States, 1999 to 2008

ObjectiveArthritis is associated with cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). However, there are limited epidemiologic studies on arthritis in a national survey study. We therefore investigated the prevalence of self-reported arthritis and its association with CVDs.MethodsData from 15,888 subjects aged 40 years or older in the United States National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999 through 2008 were analyzed. CVD was defined as a self-reported history of heart attack, congestive heart failure, coronary heart disease, angina, or stroke.ResultsThe overall prevalence of self-reported arthritis in subjects aged 40 years or older increased from 33.5% in 1999 through 2000 to 37.0% in 2007 through 2008 (P for trend = 0.017). Among subjects with arthritis in 1999 through 2008, 35.3% had osteoarthritis (OA), 17.9% had rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and 10.2% had other types of arthritis, but 36.6% were unaware of their type of arthritis. Compared with subjects without OA, subjects with OA had higher odds for CVDs (odds ratio [OR], 1.53; P < .001), especially angina (OR, 2.18: P < .001). Compared with subjects without RA, subjects with RA had higher odds for CVDs (adjusted OR, 2.39; P < .001), especially congestive heart failure (OR, 3.59; P < .001).ConclusionsBoth RA and OA are strongly associated with CVDs in the general population. Further studies are needed to investigate their causal relationship.