SAN ANTONIO, Oct 18, 2004 (United Press International via COMTEX) -- Those with arthritis in the United States pay at least double the amount on medical care spent by those without the disease, a U.S. study found.

Researchers utilized results from the 1999-2000 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey to track expenditures for two years for patients with arthritis within a national sample of 4,176 individuals, age 45 years and older.

In addition to tracking medical expenses that included office and hospital-based care, home health care, dental services, vision aids, other medical equipment and services, as well as prescription medicines, the MEPS collected data on functional limitations in daily living, such as walking, dressing, bending and grasping.

The study found total health care expenditures for people with arthritis were at least double when compared with the general population for all of expenditures examined.

Orit Almagor of Northwestern University's Institute for Health Services Research and Policy Studies in Chicago said the greatest factor contributing to the higher costs for arthritis sufferers was limitations in daily activities.

The findings were presented during the American College of Rheumatology Annual Scientific Meeting in San Antonio, Texas.

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