In a new report published by Lites et al in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, investigators examined the prevalence of arthritis among individuals younger than 18 years. Although the disease is present in this patient population, previous approximations of incidence varied widely—from 21 to 403 per 100,000 individuals. In the study, researchers used data from the National Survey of Children’s Health gathered from 2017 to 2021 to determine the prevalence of arthritis among individuals in this age group. They estimated that 220,000 pediatric patients—305 per 100,000 individuals—had been diagnosed with arthritis, and that the disease burden was twice as high among Hispanic Black and non-Hispanic Black patients than among non-Hispanic White patients. Further, compared with those in the general population, patients with comorbid conditions and health risks such as depression, anxiety, overweight, physical inactivity, and food insecurity were more likely to have arthritis. The investigators hope that their findings can shed light on the risk factors associated with the development of arthritis and encourage physicians to prioritize screenings and preventive measures for pediatric patients.
July 27, 2023