Arthritis rates to rise
Arthritis rates in Australia are set to rise, with new research forecasting that 5.4 million people will be living with the condition by 2040.
Published in The Lancet Rheumatology, the modelling study points to an ageing and expanding population as key drivers behind a projected 31 per cent increase from 2025 figures.
Osteoarthritis is expected to remain the most common form, followed by rheumatoid arthritis, while juvenile idiopathic arthritis will likely affect approximately 8,500 children and teenagers.
The economic impact is equally significant, with annual healthcare costs for arthritis forecast to surpass $11.9 billion if current spending patterns continue.
Presently, annual costs average $2,100 per osteoarthritis patient and $1,918 per person with rheumatoid arthritis.
Researchers warn these rising figures will add pressure to the already stretched healthcare system.
The implications extend to the workforce, as arthritis increasingly affects Australians in their prime working years.
By 2040, nearly 1.8 million people aged 45 to 64 are projected to live with the condition, up from 1.5 million in 2025.
Experts suggest this could influence both workforce participation and productivity, raising questions about how workplaces might adapt to support those managing arthritis.
Interestingly, the study reveals a persistent gender gap.
More women are expected to be diagnosed than men, with 19.9 per cent of females forecast to have arthritis by 2040 compared to 13.6 per cent of males.
The disparity is most pronounced in osteoarthritis, where the number of affected women is predicted to be nearly 80 per cent higher than men.
Although there is no cure for arthritis, and prevention remains limited, the findings highlight the need for new strategies to manage the significant health challenge.