Arthritis affects one in seven Americans or 40 million adults.  It is the most common and disabling chronic condition affecting Americans.  It accounts for 45 million physician visits per year, 4 million hospital admissions, and costs more than $65 billion. . .or 1% of our nation's gross national product (GNP)!

Joining us today to discuss arthritis in women is rheumatologist Dr. Nayan Kothari from St. Peters Hospital in NJ.

"Arthritis is common in women mostly because of the hormones, which probably have an influence on the immune system.  The female hormones might be influencing the immune system and cause arthritis in women".

What symptoms would lead women to think that they might have arthritis?

"The symptoms which one should be concerned about are pain in the joints and also stiffness in any joints in the body which lasts for more than a few days or definitely more than a few weeks."

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Created: 12/5/2000  -  Donnica Moore, M.D.