Osteoarthritis – Definition, Prevalence, and Treatment

Title: Osteoarthritis – Definition, Prevalence, and Treatment

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Email Address School/Department Medical Imaging
Unit Foundations for Professional Health Practice 100
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Date Due: Monday 30th March

I declare that this assignment is my own work and has not been submitted in any form for another unit, degree or diploma at any university or other institute of tertiary education.
Information derived from the published or unpublished work of others has been acknowledged in the text and list of references is given. I warrant that any disks and/or computer files submitted as part of this assignment have been checked for viruses and reported clean.

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Date: Monday 30th March

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction………………………………………………………………………………..3
2.0. Definition of Osteoarthritis……………………………………………………………3
3.0. The current incidence or prevalence…………………………………………….……4
3.1 Incidence and Prevalence in Australia ………………………………………………….4
3.2. Incidence and Prevalence in UK………………………………………………………..4
4.0. Treatment and Prevention of the Disease…………………………………………….5
5.0 Conclusion…………………………………………………………………………….….5
6.0 References…………………………………………………………………………………6

Osteoarthritis
1.0 Introduction
This paper will explore Osteoarthritis by first giving a definition of the condition. The second section will give the incidence and prevalence statistics from Australia, and the United Kingdom. The paper will then delve into two treatment and prevention measures for the disease.

2.0. Definition of Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is the most common type of joint diseases. Estimates reveal that the condition costs an equivalent of 1-1.5% of the GDP in developing nations (Vincent & Watt, 2010) . The impacts are expected to grow with the increase in the number of elderly as well as the obese in the population (Vincent & Watt, 2010). According to Vincent and Watt, most clinicians see the diseases as a “wear and tear” condition, and one that modification may not be possible.

Osteoarthritis by definition is a condition that leads to destruction of body joints to the level that it becomes difficult for the victim to move freely (Arden, Arden, & Hunter, 2008). This is a result of tearing away of the cartilage that covers the bones (Arden et al., 2008).
Arden et al., (2013) states that the disease has the capability of affecting any joint , but mostly affects the ankle, foot, wrist, and hand joints. Severe cases can cause restricted mobility, which can result to disability and frailty (Arden et al., 2008). Regarding classification, numerous factors lay the basis including number of affected joints, etiology, and radiographic and clinical picture. The general risk factors of the disease include genetic susceptibility, obesity, increasing age, female sex, menopausal loss of estrogen, and poor nutritional status (Lynch, Dunican, & Seed, 2009). For instance as regards to heritability, Osteoarthritis has a risk of 60% (Lynch et al., 2009). Obesity increases mechanical load on the joints increasing the likelihood osteoarthritis (Valderrabano & Steiger, 2011). Age is another factor as Vincent & Watt (2010) suggest of a relationship with mechanical failure, degradation, and failure to replenish damaged cells. The symptoms, pathology, or their combination are vital in defining the disease (Vincent & Watt, 2010).

3.0. The current incidence or prevalence
As the exploration reveals, Osteoarthritis is the most common type of joint diseases. The prevalence and incidence rates can be important resources in predicting the burden of diseases and coming up with effective remedies.

3.1. Incidence and Prevalence in Australia
In this regard, the incidence in Australia, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (2011) was at 14.1% for arthritis. The prevalence was higher for women (17.7%) than men (11.8%) (Australian-Bureau-of-Statistics, 2011). Of the population with arthritis, 55.9 percent has osteoarthritis (Australian-Bureau-of-Statistics, 2011).

3.2. Incidence and Prevalence in UK
In the United Kingdom, the number of people seeking for medical attention for Osteoarthritis was 8.75 billion . From these statistics, 33% are above 45 years old (Arthritis-research-UK, 2013). Of the affected, 42 % are men, while 495 are women (Arthritis-research-UK, 2013). This further supports the argument that the disease affects the old in the population more than the young. They also reveal that women are at higher risk than men (Arthritis-research-UK, 2013). In England, 7.3 Million people have sought for medical attention because of osteoarthritis (Arthritis-research-UK, 2013). The number is representative of 33% of those over the age of 45 years. This still supports the argument that the disease affects the old than the young in the population (Arthritis-research-UK, 2013).

4.0. Treatment and Prevention of the Disease
Osteoarthritis has no cure, but a range of medications can help in relieving the pain (Lynch et al., 2009). Doctors may recommend physical therapy or occupational therapy to help in improving the patient’s strength and function (Lynch et al., 2009). Lynch, Dunican , and Seed also suggest that nonsteroidal-anti-inflammatory-drugs and Acetaminophen are usually used in helping relieve the pain associated with the disease. In case the pain becomes severe, frequent, or movement and partaking daily activities becomes difficult becomes hard , surgery may be essential (Lynch et al., 2009).

The lack of cure for the diseases pushes research to come up with mechanisms of preventing it (Valderrabano & Steiger, 2011). Valderrabano and Steiger (2011) suggest that exercise and sports can help in the prevention of Osteoarthritis. Through various studies, aquatic exercises is revealed as the most appropriate exercises in the prevention (Valderrabano & Steiger, 2011). It is important to motivate engagement in the sports as laxity can be detrimental. In this regard, training schedules, instructional sesions, and group exercises can be important in upholding the practice (Valderrabano & Steiger, 2011). Health education about the need to fight conditions such as obesity can also help in preventing occurrence of the disease (Lynch et al., 2009).

6.0 Conclusion
Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disorder whose prevalence is higher in women than men. There is now known cure for the disease, making it essential to have preventive measures in place. Health workers are central to success of the procedures.
(Word count without headings and subheadings =769)

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References

Antonelli, M., & Starz, T. (2012). Assessing for Risk and Progression of Osteoarthritis: The Nurse’s Role. American Journal of Nursing, 112(3), 26-31.
Arden, N. K., Arden, E., & Hunter, D. (2008). Osteoarthritis Retrieved from http://CURTIN.eblib.com.au/patron/FullRecord.aspx?p=845998.
Arthritis-research-UK. (2013). Data and statistics on osteoarthritis . Retrieved March 21, 2015, from Arthritis Research UK: http://www.arthritisresearchuk.org/arthritis-information/data-and-statistics/osteoarthritis.aspx.
Australian-Bureau-of-Statistics. (2011). ARTHRITIS AND OSTEOPOROSIS. Retrieved March 21, 2015, from Australian Bureau of Statistics: http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/Lookup/4338.0main+features272011-13.
Lynch, A., Dunican , K., & Seed, S. (2009). Osteoarthritis: A review of treatment options. Formulary Journal, 2009(44), 143–151.
Valderrabano, V., & Steiger, C. (2011). Treatment and Prevention of Osteoarthritis through Exercise and Sports. Journal of Aging Research, 2011, 1.
Vincent, T. L., & Watt, F. E. (2010). Osteoarthritis. Medicine, 38(3), 151-156. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.mpmed.2009.11.008.

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