Should We Rely only on Physician-Diagnosed Arthritis?

The purpose of this study was to compare Latinos who have chronic joint pain symptoms that have been diagnosed as arthritis by a physician with those who have chronic joint pain symptoms but have not received a physician’s diagnosis of arthritis. This study is based on a recently completed survey of 588 Latinos interviewed, using a convenience sampling approach. Of the 576 Latinos with chronic joint pain, 45% were physician-diagnosed with arthritis. For all age groups, using the chi-square test, we found no differences between the two groups in terms of over-the-counter drug use, application of home therapies, use of vitamins, and self-assessed health status. Physician-diagnosed participants were more likely to have health insurance, to have seen a health professional, to use prescription drugs, and to have co-morbid conditions. Eliminating the question about chronic joint pain symptoms from BRFSS poses potential harm to the uninsured and to minority populations by underestimating the burden of arthritis on this population.