| Of the world's population, 90 percent will eventually | | | | Some 15 thousand children are affected by juvenile |
| develop some form of arthritis. In a number of | | | | arthritis. In the United States, which has one of the |
| cases, however, arthritis may cause little trouble | | | | most diverse ethnic populations, nearly 40 million |
| because with increasing age most people make | | | | Americans, one in seven, have some type of arthritis. |
| fewer demands on their bodies. Arthritis is often | | | | This is projected to rise to almost 60 million by 2020. |
| thought of as a sign of aging, although it can affect | | | | Of these, approximately 23 million women of all ages |
| young as well as old people. In fact, arthritis is one of | | | | are affected by arthritis. Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis |
| the most common diseases in humans. | | | | affects 61 thousand girls, representing 86 percent of |
| To give an idea of how prevalent arthritis is, take this | | | | all cases. |
| figure as just one example; in the United States, | | | | In other countries, where similar statistics are |
| 285000 children suffer from arthritis pain every day. | | | | available, the proportions of instances have proven to |
| Records in the United Kingdom show that around 20 | | | | be similar. Arthritis affects people from all walks of |
| million people suffer with arthritis, with 8 million of | | | | life, no matter what their age, gender, ethnicity or |
| who consult their doctor for treatment. Osteoarthritis | | | | social backgrounds. Worldwide, as many as nine out |
| is responsible for 5 million of those 20 million | | | | of ten people are affected by some form of the |
| sufferers, with rheumatoid arthritis affecting a further | | | | disease. |
| 1 million individuals. | | | | |