WHAT IT IS AND WHO’S AFFECTED

Arthritis refers to an inflammation of the joints and can be caused by some 100 different diseases

The commonest types of the condition include osteoarthritis or wearand-tear arthritis; inflammatory arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis or arthritis associated with psoriasis; and crystal-induced arthritis such as gout (caused by uric acid deposits) and pseudo-gout (caused by calcium pyrosphospate deposits)

Osteoarthritis causes joint pain, stiffness and decreased mobility and is more common in older age.

Rheumatoid arthritis is most often diagnosed between the ages of 30 and 40 but can affect people of any age.

Gout most often begins in men aged between 40 and 50 and women over 60.