Lack of understanding about arthritis (From This is Hampshire)

Survey of people in South East

7:30am Thursday 18th October 2012 in News By Helen Morton

PEOPLE in the South East have a poor understanding about arthritis, according to a recent study carried out by charity Arthritis UK.

The survey, carried out nationwide, showed that of the 80 per cent of people in the South East who think they have a good or average understanding of arthritis, many actually believe common arthritis myths.

While eight in 10 people in the region consider arthritis is a serious condition, over a third – 38 per cent – believe that arthritis simply means “aches and pains when you get old”.

Only 36 per cent of those surveyed were aware that children under the age of 10 can be affected.

Alan Silman, Arthritis Research UK Medical Director, said: “One in six people in the UK are affected by arthritis, and anyone at any age can be affected.

“It is particularly concerning that 28 per cent of people in the South East believe that nothing much can be done to treat arthritis and that people affected just have to live with joint pain, and that 33 per cent would wait a few weeks before consulting a healthcare professional about pain in their joints.

“Early diagnosis and treatment can make a huge difference to the prognosis and outcome of inflammatory arthritis. There may be many people in the UK living with painful joints and reduced quality of life who have not consulted their GP, and are not aware of the many treatments and self-help measures that could drastically relieve their pain.”

For more information, visit arthritisresearchuk.org.