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A study of four generations born between the 1930s and 1960s found rates of the agonising condition soared in each succeeding one.

The number of cases increased over time, especially among those who were carrying too many pounds. Women were most at risk.

In the UK, 10 million people now suffer from arthritis with 8.5 million of these with the most common form osteoarthritis - which is caused by wear and tear on joints where the cartilage is worn away.

Now, in the first study of its kind, researchers found more recent generations are most at risk, with increasing BMI (body mass index) to blame.

Scientists looked at 8,817 participants from the Canadian longitudinal National Population health Survey 1994 -2011 who were split into four birth groups

These included World War II (1935-44), older and younger baby boomers from the surge of births that followed (1945-54 and 1955-64) and Generation X (1965-74), born after the baby boomers.

The findings published in Arthritis Care & Research show members of Generation X are most likely to suffer the sore, creaky joints of arthritis, the ultimate badge of ageing.

Lead author Dr Elizabeth Badley, of the University of Toronto, explained arthritis rates rose over the period, especially in obese individuals.

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Within each birth cohort the proportion reporting arthritis increased

Dr Elizabeth Badley

She said: "Overall increases due to obesity were partially offset by concurrent increases in education, income and smoking cessation."

But she believes the impact of BMI on arthritis is "likely an underestimate."

Dr Badley warned: "Cohort differences focus attention on the need to target arthritis management education to young and middle aged adults."

There were 1,598 participants in the World War II cohort, 2,208 and 2,781 in the older and younger baby boomer respectively, and 2,230 in the 'Gen Xers'.

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Dr Badley said: "Within each birth cohort the proportion reporting arthritis increased over the 18 years from 1994/95 to 2010/11."

She added: "Obesity and sedentary lifestyle also increased substantially across all cohorts over time."

Women were more likely to report arthritis than men.

Higher education and income protected against it, with BMI and smoking the significant behavioural factors that caused it.

Dr Badley said: "The odds of reporting arthritis increased with increasing levels of BMI. For example, those who were in the severe obese category were 2.5 times more likely to report arthritis than those of normal weight.

"Furthermore, non smokers were less likely to report arthritis than current smokers."

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She added that increases in BMI have to some extent been offset by the positive impact of improvements in education and income levels and decreases in smoking rates.

She said few studies have considered the possibility of people born at different times having greater prevalence of arthritis.

Dr Badley said: "Our overall finding of a cohort effect so that at the same age individuals in recent cohorts are more likely to report arthritis than those of the same age several years earlier would imply an increase in the prevalence of arthritis.

"Although this population-based study asked about arthritis in general, it is likely that the overall findings reflect osteoarthritis given the overwhelmingly higher prevalence of this type of arthritis.

"Our results are compatible with studies showing an increasing incidence in osteoarthritis over time based on data on visits to doctors."

Later parenthood may also be a factor in the higher rates of arthritis in recent generations.

Dr Badley said: "The age at which women have their children has increased dramatically resulting in a greater age difference between parents and children in more recent cohorts.

"Older parents are more likely to have arthritis, potentially increasing awareness in their children."

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There has also been an increase in leisure time physical activity over time in Canada.

The higher prevalence of arthritis in more recent cohorts could be related to exercise increasing awareness of joint symptoms, or injury bringing on osteoarthritis.

Added Dr Badley: "Not only was the cohort effect of higher arthritis prevalence more marked in those who were obese compared to those of normal weight, in all cohorts the age of onset of arthritis in obese individuals was earlier.

"This has implications for the targeting of public health messages for the control and management of arthritis."

See the original post:
Obesity sparking a RISE in agonising arthritis among younger people - Express.co.uk

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