Arthritis Study 2020: living life to the full
As the British population gets older, we know that more and more people are having to cope with the impact of a long-term health condition.
Arthritis is already one of the most common chronic complaints in the country, affecting around 10 million people. Many people deal with it on a day-to-day basis, so we decided to run a survey on the topic.
Conducted with the help of polling firm Atomik Research, this arthritis survey reveals exactly how people living with the painful condition feel about it, and what they are doing to keep their lives on track.
The results are fascinating. They show that many people are still dealing with the worst aspects of the condition after many years, simply because they haven’t found a treatment that works for them.
More than half of our respondents have accepted pain as part of their everyday life. The good news is that many of them are open-minded about finding a solution.
Research methodology
An online survey was conducted on our behalf by Atomik Research among 1,001 respondents from the UK who were suffering from arthritis and aged 50 and over. The research fieldwork took place between 12th December 2019 and 1st January 2020.
Here are some of the results that we think are most revealing about the condition:
What is the main reason you are currently struggling with arthritis?
| Survey prompt | Agreeing |
|---|---|
| I have tried different medications and although they help a little, I still suffer | 27% |
| I don’t want to take addictive painkillers that could have side effects | 12% |
| It’s an inevitable part of getting older so I deal with it | 31% |
| Medication doesn’t help arthritis | 9% |
How frequently do your symptoms negatively affect your life?
| Survey prompt | Agreeing |
|---|---|
| Constantly | 17% |
| Every day | 35% |
| Several times a week | 27% |
How does living with the pain of arthritis make you feel?
| Survey prompt | Agreeing |
|---|---|
| Old | 46% |
| Depressed | 29% |
| Frustrated | 50% |
| Isolated | 11% |
| Grumpy/irritable | 39% |
Do you find yourself doing any of the following things less as a result of living with arthritis?
| Survey prompt | Agreeing |
|---|---|
| Sleeping well | 54% |
| Exercising | 57% |
| Driving | 16% |
| Playing with my grandchildren | 21% |
When suffering with arthritis, have you ever felt the following?
| Survey prompt | Agreeing |
|---|---|
| People think I am just old | 31% |
| People get frustrated as it takes me longer to do things | 22% |
What is your attitude to Ibuprofen and your pain levels?
| Survey prompt | Agreeing |
|---|---|
| I try not to take it | 46% |
What is your perception of using natural remedies to help with your arthritis?
| Survey prompt | Agreeing |
|---|---|
| I would consider trying them | 47% |