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About one out of five U.S. adults with chronic joint pain have
never seen a doctor for treatment.
An estimated 47.5 million adults suffered with chronic joint
symptoms in 2001, and 2 million of theses adults had symptoms
so severe that their daily activities were limited. Despite
this, 10.3 million adults with chronic joint symptoms have
not visited a doctor for treatment, according to a report.
Arthritis and chronic joint symptoms are major causes of
disability among U.S. adults. According to researchers, seeking
a doctor’s care could limit damage to joints and improve
health and overall functioning for patients.
The report is based on a national telephone survey, conducted
in 2001, of more than 200,000 adults.
Participants were asked whether they had chronic joint symptoms,
whether they had sought medical care for the symptoms and
whether the symptoms limited their physical activity.
Those least likely to seek medical care included younger
adults, men and Hispanic individuals. People with no health
insurance, less education or who had good health overall were
also less likely to see treatment, according to the report.
Moreover, findings indicated that people living in the Northeast
sought treatment most often, while people living in southern
or western states were least likely to seek care.
Morbidity
and Mortality Weekly Report May 9, 2003;52:416-419
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