The Impact of Arthritis on Canadian Women

Abstract

HEALTH ISSUE: Arthritis is one of the most prevalent chronic conditions in Canada and a leading cause of long-term disability, pain, and increased health care utilization. It is also a far more prevalent condition among women than men. Information was obtained primarily from the 1998-99 National Population Health Survey and the Canadian Joint Replacement Registry. KEY FINDINGS: In 1998, the overall prevalence of self-reported arthritis or rheumatism in Canadian women was 20.0%. This rate increased to 55.6% among women over 75 years of age. Compared to women with chronic conditions, women with arthritis were more likely to experience long-term disability; report worse health; experience more pain; be dependent upon others and consult general practitioners, specialists, and physiotherapists more frequently. While men and women with arthritis under-utilize total joint replacement surgery, the degree of under-use was over three times greater for women. DATA GAPS AND RECOMMENDATIONS: There is a lack of detailed information on the use of health care services by women with arthritis. There are also no systematic data available on the prescribing of medications, access to services such as assistive devices or exercise programs, or use of community support, self-management strategies, or rehabilitation services. The burden of arthritis both on women and on society is expected to increase as the population ages. A comprehensive health strategy to reduce the impact of arthritis is required to ensure that health and support services are available in a timely manner and provided in such a way to meet the needs of Canadian women.

Figure 1

Socio-Demographic Characteristics of 1998/99 NPHS Respondents, Stratified by Sex and Disease Status

Figure 2

Number and Prevalence of Self-Reported Arthritis or Rheumatism, by Age and Sex Source: NPHS, Statistics Canada, 1998–1999

Figure 3

International Prevalence Rates of Rheumatoid Arthritis by Sex

Figure 4

Percentage of Women in Income, Education, And Employment Classes, by Disease Status Source: NPHS, Statistics Canada, 1998–1999

Figure 5

Health Status Measures of 1998/99 NPHS Respondents, Stratified by Sex and Disease Status

Figure 6

Percentage of Women With Health Impacts, by Disease Status Source: NPHS, Statistics Canada, 1998–1999

Figure 7

Health Care Utilization by 1998/99 NPHS Respondents, Stratified by Sex and Disease Status

Figure 8

Percentage of Women Using Health Care Services, by Disease Status Source: NPHS, Statistics Canada, 1998–1999

Figure 9

Age Specific Rates (per 100,000 population) of Total Knee Replacement Procedures, by Sex, Canada, 1999–2000 Source: CJRR, CIHI, 1999, 2000