Arthritis is a collection of chronic diseases that impact your joints and other connective tissues. These conditions are most commonly characterized by swelling, joint pain, and stiffness. There are more than 100 conditions under the arthritis umbrella, but the most common forms are osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
A common misconception surrounding arthritis is that it only impacts older people. In truth, you can develop arthritis at any age.
In the United States, around 300,000 children under the age of 16 have a juvenile arthritis (JA) diagnosis. Due to most forms of JA being autoimmune or autoinflammatory diseases, young adults with JA may display a wide range of symptoms across their entire body including, but not limited to:
- rashes
- hardened skin
- dry eye
- sensitivity to light
- swelling, redness, and/or tenderness around the joints
- difficulty moving after extended periods of rest
- high fevers
- shortness of breath
- diarrhea
As children and teens grow older, they may grow out of their symptoms or be diagnosed with adult arthritis.
Key Factors Leading to Arthritis in Younger Populations
The exact cause of arthritis is currently unknown; however, there are some factors that could increase your risk of developing arthritis throughout your life.
Family History
If any of your immediate biological family members, such as a parent or sibling, have arthritis, you may be at a higher risk of developing the same form of arthritis throughout your life.
Obesity
Carrying extra weight puts an additional strain on joints in your hands, spine, hips, and knees. As such, it can cause the cartilage and connective tissues around the joint to deteriorate faster over time. This could lead to an OA diagnosis.
Genetics and Sex at Birth
Those assigned female at birth are more likely to develop RA due to a decrease in estrogen as they age. Women also have two copies of the X chromosome, which can increase the likelihood of genetic mutations. If a mutation occurs in the Human Leukocyte Antigen region of an X chromosome, this could compromise a woman’s immune system.
Those assigned male at birth are more likely to develop gout. The symptoms appear suddenly and are often severe, which can cause extreme discomfort, joint pain, and difficulty moving until the symptoms subside.
Past Injuries and Repeated Stress
If you’ve sustained joint injuries from playing contact sports, the existing damage can worsen over time. If you play extreme contact sports or regularly overwork your joints, they may deteriorate at a faster pace, which could lead to an OA diagnosis as a young adult.
Exploring the Types of Arthritis Affecting Young Adults
The form of arthritis you may be diagnosed with can change depending on your age.
Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
Juvenile arthritis is the umbrella term for a set of autoimmune and autoinflammatory diseases that occur in children and teens under the age of 16. There are many forms of JA, but for the sake of this blog, we’ll focus primarily on juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). JIA is the most common type of arthritis in children and teens. Although it can impact different parts of the body, it commonly causes joint pain and inflammation in the hands, knees, ankles, elbows, and wrists. JIA can be grouped into six types:
- Oligoarthritis: This is the most common form and can affect up to four large joints such as the ankles, elbows, and knees.
- Polyarthritis: It affects roughly 25% of children diagnosed with JIA and can affect small and large joints. It impacts five or more joints on both sides of the body.
- Systemic arthritis: It affects about 10% of those diagnosed with JIA and affects the entire body. Common symptoms for this form of JIA are high fevers lasting at least two weeks and a rash.
- Psoriatic arthritis: It affects the skin and more than one joint typically in the wrists, knees, ankles, fingers, or toes. It causes a scaly rash behind the ears and/or on the eyelids, elbows, knees, navel, and scalp. Skin symptoms may appear before or after joint symptoms.
- Enthesitis-related arthritis: This form may also be called spondyloarthritis. It’s more common in boys and typically appears between the ages of eight and 15. It affects the area where muscles, ligaments, or tendons attach to the bone and commonly affects the hips, knees, and feet. It can also affect the fingers, elbows, pelvis, chest, digestive tract, and lower back.
- Undifferentiated arthritis: Those with this form don’t have symptoms perfectly aligned with any of the above subtypes, but still experience inflammation in one or more joints.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage lining your joints wears down to the point of your bones rubbing together. It’s a degenerative disease that worsens over time and makes it difficult to complete everyday tasks. It commonly affects the joints in your:
- hands
- knees
- lower back
- hips
- neck
Although OA is commonly diagnosed in people who are over 55 or in postmenopause, anyone can develop it. Significant joint damage sustained through accidents, sports injuries, and even repeated stress can lead to an OA diagnosis. Having health conditions like diabetes, high cholesterol, and even autoimmune disorders can also increase your chances of developing OA.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune disease that causes your immune system to attack your entire body. It damages the joints in your:
- fingers and hands
- feet and toes
- knees
- ankles
- wrists
It can also affect your skin, eyes, mouth, lungs, and heart.
If your rheumatoid arthritis symptoms aren’t properly managed, over time, they can deform your joints and even erode your bones. This can make it difficult to complete everyday tasks such as getting dressed, bathing, eating, and more. Much like OA, RA can develop at any age; however, it usually occurs between ages 30 and 60.
Preventative Measures and Lifestyle Adjustments
While there isn’t a cure for arthritis, there are measures you can take to manage the symptoms and reduce your chances of developing OA.
Regularly exercising and having a balanced diet can help you maintain a healthy weight, which can prevent extra stress on your joints. Avoid repeatedly stressing your joints during exercise sessions to lower your risk of damaging your joints.
If you already have an arthritis diagnosis, light exercise can aid in mobility and prevent your joints from stiffening. If your current job requires you to be mostly sedentary, speak with your HR department regarding appropriate workplace accommodations.
Taking over-the-counter painkillers like ibuprofen or Tylenol can help alleviate some of your discomfort. Your rheumatologist or primary care provider (PCP) may also prescribe steroids or inhibitors to better manage your RA symptoms.
You’re Not Defined by Your Diagnosis
Navigating life with an arthritis diagnosis as a young adult can be challenging, but it shouldn’t stop you from leading a fulfilling life. Working closely with your rheumatologist or PCP can help you develop a treatment plan that allows you to mitigate your symptoms and prevent your condition from worsening. As your quality of life improves, so will your confidence in resuming activities you love.
Interested in helping others like you improve their quality of life? Consider becoming a rheumatologist! Apply to our Doctor of Medicine (MD) program or submit this form for more information.
The information and material contained in this article and on this website are for informational purposes only and should not be considered, or used in place of, professional medical advice. Please speak with a licensed medical provider for specific questions or concerns. The American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine is not responsible for the information maintained or provided on third-party websites or external links.
