QuickStats: Age-Adjusted Percentage* of Adults with Chronic Joint Symptoms,† by Sex and Race/Ethnicity — National Health Interview Survey, United States 2013–2014§

Weekly / February 12, 2016 / 65(5);132

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The figure above is a bar chart showing that during 2013–2014, women were more likely than men to have chronic symptoms of pain, aching, or stiffness in or around a joint for >3 months. This pattern was observed regardless of race/ethnicity. Among non-Hispanic black adults, 29.0% of women had chronic joint pain compared with 23.2% of men. Among non-Hispanic white adults, 30.2% of women had chronic joint pain compared with 28.4% of men. Among Hispanic adults, 24.1% of women had chronic joint pain compared with 19.0% of men. Hispanic men and women also were less likely than non-Hispanic black and non-Hispanic white men and women to have chronic joint pain.

* With 95% confidence interval.

† Based on responses to a question that asked sample adults, “During the past 30 days, have you had any symptoms of pain, aching, or stiffness in or around a joint?” Respondents were asked to exclude the back or neck. Respondents who answered affirmatively were then asked a follow-up question, “Did your joint symptoms first begin more than 3 months ago?” Only respondents with affirmative answers to both questions were included in the analysis. Chronic pain is pain lasting > 3 months.

§ Estimates are based on household interviews of a sample of the U.S. civilian, noninstitutionalized population aged ≥18 years. Persons for whom chronic pain was unknown were not included in the denominators when calculating percentages. Percentages were age-adjusted to the projected 2000 U.S. population as the standard population, using four age groups: 18–44, 45–64, 65–74, and ≥75 years.

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During 2013–2014, women were more likely than men to have chronic symptoms of pain, aching, or stiffness in or around a joint for > 3 months. This pattern was observed regardless of race/ethnicity. Among non-Hispanic black adults, 29.0% of women had chronic joint pain compared with 23.2% of men. Among non-Hispanic white adults, 30.2% of women had chronic joint pain compared with 28.4% of men. Among Hispanic adults, 24.1% of women had chronic joint pain compared with 19.0% of men. Hispanic men and women also were less likely than non-Hispanic black and non-Hispanic white men and women to have chronic joint pain.

Source: National Health Interview Survey, 2013–2014. http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nhis.htm.

Reported by: Debra L. Blackwell, PhD, Debra.Blackwell@cdc.hhs.gov, 301-458-4103; Tainya C. Clarke, PhD.