Arthritis Hits More Than Half of Diabetics

Painful joint condition hinders exercise that helps manage both conditions, experts say

By Steven Reinberg
HealthDay Reporter

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THURSDAY, May 8 (HealthDay News) -- Arthritis strikes more than half of the 20.6 million American adults who have diabetes, and the painful joint condition may be a barrier to exercise among these patients, a new government report shows.

Being physically active helps people manage both diseases better by controlling blood sugar levels and reducing joint pain, according to the report in the May 9 issue of Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, a publication of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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"The prevalence of arthritis is astoundingly high in people with diabetes," said Dr. John H. Klippel, president and CEO of the Arthritis Foundation. "Over half the people with diabetes have arthritis."

Although there appears to be a connection between arthritis and diabetes, the reason for it isn't known, Klippel said. A possible explanation is obesity, which is a risk factor for both osteoarthritis and diabetes, he speculated.

"In addition, those individuals who have diabetes and arthritis are less physically active," Klippel said. "We know that physical activity is critically important for the control of diabetes, both for the control of blood glucose and the prevention of complications."

Using data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, CDC researchers found 29.8 percent of people with both diseases were more likely to be inactive, compared with 21 percent of those who only have diabetes, 17.3 percent of those with arthritis alone, and 10.9 percent of those with neither condition.

For people who suffer from both diabetes and arthritis, arthritis appears to be a barrier to being physically active. But being physically active by doing aerobic exercise, strength training, walking, swimming or biking can benefit people with both diseases, according to the CDC.

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