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Which forms of arthritis are most common?

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Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis, affecting nearly one-third of individuals over the age of 65. It is a degenerative joint disease characterized by the deterioration of articular cartilage, which leads to joint pain, stiffness, and inflammation.1

Other notable forms of arthritis include:

Rheumatoid arthritis: A chronic, progressive autoimmune disease that causes inflammation in the synovial membranes, leading to joint damage and potential deformity. It affects approximately 1 percent of the adult population in developed nations.23
Crystalloid arthritis: This includes gout and pseudogout, which are caused by the precipitation of crystals within the joint space.4
Spondyloarthropathies: A group of related conditions that typically affect the spine and sacroiliac joints, including ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, and arthritis associated with inflammatory bowel disease.5