title: Arthritis: a family affair.
abstract: A diagnosis of arthritis affects not only those who have the disease, but also their family and close friends. Arthritis is not confined to old people, but affects people of all ages from the very young upwards. It is the biggest single cause of physical disability in the UK. It can produce a complex burden of physical and psycho-social effects. The misperception that it occurs only in later life is unhelpful for younger people.
authors.affiliation: Arthritis Care, London.
authors.forename: Jane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Spence
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001168:Arthritis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D002648:Child; D017281:Cost of Illness; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005192:Family Health; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011788:Quality of Life; D012648:Self Care; D012657:Self-Help Groups; D012944:Social Support; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology