Not
All the News on Arthritis Comes from the Feds at
the CDC
Clearwater, Fl,
November 5, 2002 - On the heels of the
CDCs new estimates that 1 in 3 Americans are affected
by arthritis, a study by Clearwater, FL based
Arthritis Research Institute of America (ARIA)
published in the Journal of Osteoarthritis and
Cartilage confirms what many arthritis suffers
already suspected: if you injure your knees, you
are 7 times more likely to suffer from knee osteoarthritis
later in life. Whether youíre a running back or
a backyard gardener, thatís big news for active
Americans.
ARIA began their Clearwater Osteoarthritis Study
back in 1988. Since then, over 3,500 participants
have been enrolled. Participants return to the
Institute every two years for a physical examination
and x-rays. According to Frances Wilder, Ph.D.,
Director of Research at ARIA, over 1,400 participant
records were part of the their knee injury study
making it one of the largest studies of this type
in published medical journals. Scientists at the
Institute are hopeful that their results will
encourage physicians around the country to discuss
early diagnosis and appropriate self-management
(e.g., physical activity, education, and maintaining
appropriate weight), with their at-risk patients.
Like the famous Framingham Study, which exposed
many of the risk factors for heart disease, ARIAís
Clearwater Osteoarthritis Study aims to uncover
risk factors for Americaís greatest crippler,
arthritis. Osteoarthritis is the most common type
of arthritis.
The Arthritis Research Institute of America is
a 501(c)3 non-profit organization located at 300
S. Duncan Ave., #240 in Clearwater. They are conducting
a 25-year study of Osteoarthritis. Residents interested
in participating in their Clearwater Osteoarthritis
Study are encouraged to contact ARIA at 727-461-4054.
Participation is open to residents aged 40 and
over regardless of whether or not they have Osteoarthritis.
Participants are not charged or compensated.
For additional information or reprints of the
Journal of Osteoarthritis and Cartilage article
contact: Frances Wilder, Executive Director.
