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The Impact of Arthritis on Canadian Women

Naomi M. Kasman, MSc (University Health Network), and Elizabeth M. Badley, PhD (University of Toronto)

Health Issue

Arthritis is currently one of the most prevalent chronic conditions in Canada. It is a leading cause of long-term disability, pain, and increased health care utilization. It is also a far more prevalent condition among women than men. This chapter of the Women's Health Surveillance Report presents information on the status and impact of arthritis on women in Canada. The impact of arthritis was measured in terms of self-rated health, pain, long-term disability, dependence, and health service utilization. To set the data on arthritis in Canadian women in a broader population health context, we also present data for men with arthritis, women with chronic conditions other than arthritis, and women with no chronic conditions. The information presented in this report has been obtained primarily from analysis of the 1998-1999 National Population Health Survey (NPHS) and the Canadian Joint Replacement Registry.

Key Findings

In Canada, the overall prevalence in 1998-1999 of self-reported arthritis or rheumatism among women was 20.0%. This prevalence rate increased with age to a maximum of 55.6% among women over age 75. In Canada, women with arthritis are older, have lower incomes, fewer years of education, and are more likely to be out of the labour force despite being aged 16.64. In terms of health impacts, women with arthritis are far more likely than women with other chronic conditions to experience long-term disability, report worse health, experience more pain, and be dependent upon others for assistance. Women with arthritis also consult with general practitioners, specialists and physiotherapists more frequently than any of the comparison groups.

Data Gaps and Recommendations

The authors identified the following data gaps and made the following recommendations:

• In Canada, a number of gaps exist in the arthritis and gender data currently available.
• The lack of detailed data on the use of health care services by women with arthritis. Our only sources of comprehensive population-based data are national and provincial health surveys, which rely on self-reported information.
• The lack of systematic data available on the prescribing of medications, access to services such as assistive devices or exercise programs, or the use of community support, self-management strategies or rehabilitation services.
• The burden of arthritis both on women and on society is expected to increase as the population ages. Hence, a comprehensive health strategy to reduce the impact of arthritis is required to ensure that health and support services are available in a timely manner, and provided in such a way as to meet the needs of Canadian women.

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