Arthritis May Newsletter: Arthritis Awareness and Mental Health Month 2021

	Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC 24/7: Saving Lives, Protecting People May 20, 2021

Arthritis May Newsletter	cdc.gov/arthritis

May is Arthritis and Mental Health Awareness Month

“The Arthritis-Mental Health Connection” web feature: Symptoms of anxiety and depression are common among adults with arthritis and can interfere with someone’s ability to manage their health. This web feature provides information on symptoms of anxiety and depression, guidance for health care providers, and mental health resources for adults with arthritis. “Depression and Anxiety Among Adults with Arthritis” podcast episode: Dr. Louise Murphy, Senior Epidemiologist, recently sat down with Dr. Jeffrey Nemhauser, host of CDC’s Healthy Aging Matters podcast, to talk about the connection between arthritis and mental health, the difference between depression and anxiety, and how adults with arthritis can manage their symptoms. Also available in Spanish.

Partner Resources

Support groups for adults living with arthritis: Continuing social activities is important for staying positive and coping with symptoms of osteoarthritis. The Osteoarthritis Action Alliance (OAAA) hosts two online support groups for adults living with arthritis who want to maintain a support network or connect with others. HealthUnlocked: The world's largest social network for health, with 1 million members across the globe and growing. StandUp2OA Facebook Support Group: This support group was created as a safe place on Facebook where approved members can share their goals, questions, and everyday struggles with osteoarthritis. Webinar Recordings: OAAA’s webinar highlighted important findings from the Arthritis Foundation’s Live Yes! INSIGHTS study, including the effect of pain disability on the day-to-day experiences of adults with arthritis. The America Walks “Best Practices for Hosting a Virtual Walking Event” recorded webinar touched on best practices for convening virtual community events that promote physical activity. Please note that you must register for the webinar to view the recording. The National Association of Chronic Disease Directors webinar “Coupling Evidence-Based Interventions to Encourage Sustainability: Lessons from the Field” features a panel discussion of states’ experiences with coupling evidence-based interventions that address disease comorbidities and promote behavior change. OAAA offers tips and guidance on the Best Stress Relievers for Arthritis. Physical activities like yoga and tai chi can help adults with arthritis manage their stress symptoms. The OAAA’s Exercises to Engage Mind and Body lists “mind-body” activities that help reduce pain, cultivate mindfulness, and cope with symptoms.

Research Roundup

Physical Activity Assessment and Recommendation for Adults with Arthritis by Primary Care Providers-DocStyles, 2018 Guglielmo D, Murphy LB, Theis KA, Helmick CG, Omura JD, Odom EL, Croft JB; American Journal of Health Promotion, 2020  Primary care providers are well-positioned to counsel adults with arthritis about the benefits of physical activity. This study examined primary care providers who see adults with arthritis and provides new information about characteristics of providers who may need support in increasing physical activity counseling. Read more here. PubMed link here. All-Cause Opioid Prescriptions Dispensed: The Outsized Role of Adults with Arthritis Murphy LB, Cisternas MG, Theis KA, Brady TJ, Bohm MK, Guglielmo D, Hootman JM, Barbour KE, Boring MA, Helmick CG; American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 2020 This study examined the prevalence of opioid prescriptions purchased by US adults overall and by arthritis status, sociodemographic characteristics, health status, and health care utilization characteristics. Findings suggest that adults with arthritis are a high-need group to prioritize for improving pain management, representing more than half of all US adults who purchased at least one opioid prescription. PubMed link here. Depressive Symptoms and the Arthritis-Employment Interface: A Population-Level Study Jetha A, Theis KA, Boring MA, Murphy LB, Guglielmo D; Arthritis Care and Research, 2020 This study examined the relationship between depressive symptoms, arthritis, and employment participation. Findings suggest that people reporting depressive symptoms had higher prevalence of fair-to-poor health and arthritis-attributable activity limitations, compared to those who did not report depression. Even more, those with depressive symptoms were significantly less likely to report employment. PubMed link here. Effects of Comorbid Cardiovascular Disease and Diabetes Mellitus on Hand Osteoarthritis, Pain, and Functional State Transitions Scherzer ZA, Alvarez C, Renner JB, Murphy LB, Schwartz TA, Jordan JM, Golightly YM, Nelson AE; The Journal of Rheumatology, 2020 This study examined the course of hand osteoarthritis and its relationship with cardiovascular disease and diabetes among participants in the Johnston County Osteoarthritis Project (two-thirds women, one-third African American people, mean age 60 years). Authors found that having diabetes or cardiovascular disease reduced symptomatic and functional improvement over time.  PubMed link here. Comorbid Conditions and the Transition Among States of Hip Osteoarthritis and Symptoms in a Community-Based Study: A Multi-State Time-to-Event Model Approach Alvarez C, Cleveland RJ, Schwartz TA, Renner JB, Murphy LB, Jordan JM, Callahan LF, Golightly YM, Nelson AE. Arthritis Research and Therapy, 2020 This study examined the association between obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease and hip osteoarthritis among participants in the Johnston County Osteoarthritis Project. The study found that comorbid chronic conditions are common in adults with osteoarthritis, and they have a significant impact on the persistence and progression of hip osteoarthritis. PubMed link here. State-Specific Prevalence and Characteristics of Frequent Mental Distress and History of Depression Diagnosis Among Adults with Arthritis - United States, 2017 Price JD, Barbour KE, Liu Y, Lu H, Amerson NL, Murphy LB, Helmick CG, Calanan RM, Sandoval-Rosario M, Samanic CM, Greenlund KJ, Thomas CW. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 2020 Adults living with arthritis face unique mental health challenges. The relationship between chronic pain, depression, and anxiety are cyclical, and each can exacerbate the intensity of the others. This report finds that mental distress and depression are commonly reported by adults living with arthritis. Findings suggest that all adults with arthritis might benefit from systematic mental health screenings and participation in evidence-based physical activity and self-management education programs. Read the full study.  Use this link to subscribe to this newsletter.

More Information

5 Proven Ways to Manage Arthritis	CDC's Arthritis Site	About CDC's Arthritis Program	Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans (2nd Ed.)

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