Arthritis in African Americans
Arthritis and related conditions can affect anyone, no matter what their race. Osteoarthritis, the common form of arthritis in African Americans, affects all races in similar frequency. However, gout and lupus affect more African Americans than people of other races.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis (OA) affects nearly 27 million Americans. Although it does not affect African Americans more than other people, it is the most common form of arthritis.
OA causes the cartilage that cushions the bones in joints to break down. OA affects both men and women. Up to age 55, OA is more common in men. After age 55, it is more common in women.
Treatment includes exercise, medications, use of heat and cold, joint protection and weight control. You can reduce your risk for OA by maintaining your recommended weight or losing weight if you are overweight.
Learn more about osteoarthritis.
Gout
Gout is a painful condition caused by uric acid crystals in one or more joints (often the base of the big toe). Uric acid is a substance that forms when the body breaks down waste products called purines. Uric acid is usually dissolved in the blood and passes through the kidneys into the urine.
In people with gout, the uric acid level in the blood becomes very high. This causes uric acid crystals to form in joints and other tissues. It can lead to joint pain and swelling.
Gout affects approximately 2.1 million Americans. Gout occurs much more commonly in men than
in women. It can occur at any age, but usually begins between ages 40 and 50. African-American men are twice as likely as Caucasian men to have gout. This may be related to their greater risk of high blood pressure and the increased uric acid levels in the blood caused by some high blood pressure medications.
Symptoms of gout include:
- Sudden joint pain and swelling, often in the big toe.
- Shiny red or purple skin around the joint.
- Tenderness around the joint.
A doctor diagnoses a person with gout by taking fluid from the affected joint. The fluid is examined under a special microscope for uric acid crystals.
The good news is that gout can be treated and attacks of gout can be prevented. Gout is usually treated with medication and changes in diet medication prescribed for gout help treat attacks, reduce uric acid production, or help rid uric acid from the body.
Certain foods may raise your uric acid level. You may need to reduce the amount you eat of the following foods:
- Sardines and anchovies
- Broths and gravies
- Organ meats (liver, kidneys, etc.)
- Legumes (dried beans, soybeans, peas)
High uric acid levels in the blood can be caused by obesity. If you are overweight, work with your doctor to develop a weight-loss program.
Drinking alcohol also can trigger an acute gout attack. It also is important to drink at least 10 to 12 eight-ounce glasses of water each day to help flush the uric acid crystals out of your body.
Learn more about gout.
Lupus
Lupus affects women more often than men. African-American women are more likely to have lupus than Caucasian women
Lupus is an autoimmune disease. This means that the body's immune system attacks the body's own tissues and organs. Lupus typically begins between ages 18 and 45.
Most people with lupus have changes in disease activity known as flares and remissions. A flare is when the disease is more active and inflammation is worse. A remission is when there are no signs or symptoms of the disease. On rare occasions, a complete or long-lasting remission can occur.
Lupus may be difficult to diagnose. This is because there is no single set of symptoms. Blood tests are used to help with the diagnosis of lupus. Rheumatologists (doctors who specialize in the treatment of people with arthritis or related diseases) are more certain of the diagnosis when people have more of the typical signs of the disease.
Signs and symptoms of lupus include:
- A rash across the cheeks and the bridge of the nose
- Scaly, disk-shaped rash on the face, neck, ears, scalp and/or chest
- Sensitivity to sunlight
- Sores on the tongue, inside the mouth and/or in the nose
- Arthritis (pain, stiffness and swelling in the joints)
- Pain in the chest or side
- Kidney problems
- Brain problems
- Blood problems
- Antinuclear antibodies (a common lab test market of disease)
Lupus is usually treated with a combination of medications, rest, exercise and a healthful, balanced diet.
Lupus-related kidney disease is more common in African Americans than in other people with lupus. Lupus-related kidney disease may have few noticeable signs or symptoms. It can be fatal if left untreated. People with lupus should have their kidneys checked closely by their doctors.
Learn more about lupus.
