Prevalence of Arthritis Among Adults with Prediabetes and Arthritis-Specific Barriers to Important Interventions for Prediabetes - United States, 2009-2016

Abstract

An estimated 54.4 million U.S. adults have doctor-diagnosed arthritis (arthritis), and this number is projected to rise to 78.4 million by 2040 (1,2). Physical inactivity and obesity are two factors associated with an increased risk for developing type 2 diabetes,* and arthritis has been determined to be a barrier to physical activity among adults with obesity (3). The prevalence of arthritis among the 33.9% (estimated 84 million)^† of U.S. adults with prediabetes and how these conditions are related to physical inactivity and obesity are unknown. To examine the relationships among arthritis, prediabetes, physical inactivity, and obesity, CDC analyzed combined data from the 2009-2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES). Overall, the unadjusted prevalence of arthritis among adults with prediabetes was 32.0% (26 million). Among adults with both arthritis and prediabetes, the unadjusted prevalences of leisure-time physical inactivity and obesity were 56.5% (95% confidence intervals [CIs] = 51.3-61.5) and 50.1% (CI = 46.5-53.6), respectively. Approximately half of adults with both prediabetes and arthritis are either physically inactive or have obesity, further increasing their risk for type 2 diabetes. Health care and public health professionals can address arthritis-specific barriers^§ to physical activity by promoting evidence-based physical activity interventions.^¶ Furthermore, weight loss and physical activity promoted though the National Diabetes Prevention Program can reduce the risk for type 2 diabetes and reduce pain from arthritis.

FIGURE 1

Age-standardized prevalence of leisure-time physical inactivity, by arthritis and prediabetes status, excluding adults with diabetes — National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, United States, 2009–2016 * Estimates were age-standardized to the 2000 U.S. standard population aged ≥20 years. ^† Prediabetes was defined as glycated hemoglobin A1c level of 5.7%–6.4% or a fasting plasma glucose level of 100–125 mg/dL.

FIGURE 2

Age-standardized prevalence of obesity, by arthritis and prediabetes status, excluding adults with diabetes — National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, United States, 2009–2016 * Estimates were age-standardized to the 2000 U.S. standard population aged ≥20 years. ^† Prediabetes was defined as glycated hemoglobin A1c level of 5.7%–6.4% or a fasting plasma glucose level of 100–125 mg/dL.