The public health burden of arthritis and other rheumatic conditions (AORC) has increased significantly over the previous 6 years, posing a growing challenge for patients, families, and the public health system and appears to disproportionately impact non-metropolitan and other rural communities. This according to a study of Nebraska state emergency department (ED) discharge, hospital discharge, and death certificate data from 2007 to 2012. Researchers found:

• Rates of annual ED visits (34% increase), hospitalizations (22% increase), and mean charge (~30% to 70% increase) from visits involving AORC increased significantly.

• Annual rates of ED visits and hospitalizations involving AORC were lower in urban metropolitan areas vs other urban-rural designations.

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

• Disease profiles showed that ED visits and hospitalizations involving gout and other crystal arthropathies increased disproportionately vs other AORC.

Citation: Han GM, Michaud K, Yu F, Watanabe-Galloway S, Mikuls TR. The increasing public health burden of arthritis, other rheumatic conditions, and comorbidity: Results from a statewide health surveillance system, 2007 to 2012. [Published online ahead of print February 11, 2016]. Arthritis Care Res. doi: 10.1002/acr.22856.