Prevalence and economic burden of osteoarthritis

• Prevalence peaks at around 50 years
• Knee OA affects 4.8% of females and 2.8% of males¹
• Hip and knee OA are ranked as the 12th highest contributor to global disability.

Here’s some facts about the burden of OA in Australia specifically:

_{(Source: National Osteoarthritis Strategy 2018)}²

Osteoarthritis imposes a significant financial burden on individuals, the healthcare system, and society as a whole. Here are some facts about the financial burden of OA according to Arthritis Australia in 2016:³

• 4 million Australians were living with OA
• Arthritis is the second most common cause of early retirement due to ill-health in Australia
• 52,000 people aged 15-64 years were unable to work due to arthritis
• Arthritis cost the health system (in 2015) $5.5 billion dollars, projected to increase to $7.6 billion in 2030