Arthritis

 Key Facts

Usually seen in

• Individuals older than 65 years of age.

Gender affected

• Both men and women

Body part(s) involved

• Hands and Wrists
• Elbow joint
• Shoulders joint
• Hip joint 
• Knee joint
• Ankles and feet

Prevalence

• Worldwide: 350 million (2021)
• India: 180 million (2017)

Mimicking Conditions

• Lupus 
• Lyme Disease
• Gout 
• Vasculitis
• Osteoarthritis 
• Fibromyalgia

Necessary health tests/imaging

• Physical examination
• Laboratory tests
• MRI
• CT
• Arthroscopy

Treatment

• NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs): Ibuprofen, Aspirin & Naproxen
• Steroids: Prednisolone, Betamethasone & Dexamethasone
• DMARDs (disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs): Methotrexate, Leflunomide & Hydroxychloroquine
• Surgery: Synovectomy & Join replacement therapy
• Physiotherapy