The public health burden of arthritis and other rheumatic conditions (AORCs) increased significantly over the 6-year period recently studied, posing a growing challenge for patients, families, and the public health system. In addition, researchers noted that AORCs appear to disproportionately impact nonmetropolitan and rural communities. Researchers analyzed Nebraska state emergency department (ED) discharge, hospital discharge, and death certificate data from 2007 to 2012 in order to estimate disease burden. They found:

• Rates of annual ED visits saw a 34% increase; hospitalizations, 22%; mean charges, an approximate 30% to 70% increase from visits involving AORCs, increased significantly during the study period.

• Annual rates of ED visits and hospitalizations involving AORCs were lower in urban metropolitan areas compared to other urban/rural designations.

• AORC-related mortality was highest in small rural communities.

Citation: Han G-M, Michaud K, Yu F, Watanabe-Galloway S, Mikuls TR. Increasing public health burden of arthritis and other rheumatic conditions and comorbidity: Results from a statewide health surveillance system, 20017-2012. [Published online ahead of print August 19, 2016]. Arthritis Care Res. doi:10.1002/acr.22856.