The number of people living with arthritis in Australia is projected to increase by a third by 2040, suggests a modelling study, published in The Lancet Rheumatology.
The model projects about 5.4 million Australians will have arthritis in 2040, 1.3 million (31%) more than the estimated number of cases for 2025.
Annual health system spending on osteoarthritis – the most common type of arthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis, the most common type of inflammatory arthritis – is forecast to exceed AUD $11.9 billion by 2040, if current spending levels continue, estimated at AUD $2,100 per person with osteoarthritis and AUD $1,918 per person with rheumatoid arthritis and per year.
“Arthritis is a common condition that affects the joints, causing pain and impacting function in all areas of life. By 2040, we anticipate that nearly 5.4 million Australians will be living with arthritis, based on expected population growth and ageing,” said Deputy Director, Monash University Musculoskeletal Health Unit, Professor Ilana Ackerman.
“Arthritis doesn’t just affect older people – it affects babies, children, adolescents, as well as adults of all ages.
“Arthritis can affect people’s ability to undertake their work tasks and their ability to participate in the workforce. As our population grows, there will be more people of working age who are living with arthritis, and this has the potential to significantly impact productivity at a national level.
“We need to invest in effective prevention and high value care that can improve outcomes for people living with arthritis. For osteoarthritis, the best advice is to prevent joint injuries, maintain a healthy weight where possible, and to keep strong and physically active.
“People living outside of metropolitan areas face greater challenges in accessing arthritis care, particularly specialist care including paediatric rheumatology for children living with juvenile arthritis. It’s critical that people living in regional and rural areas can receive a diagnosis and the treatment they need in a timely manner,” she said.
