Arthritis restricts volunteer participation: prevalence and correlates of volunteer status among adults with arthritis.
OBJECTIVE
To estimate, among adults ages > or = 45 years with arthritis, the prevalence and correlates of 1) volunteering, 2) arthritis-attributable restrictions among volunteers, and 3) arthritis as the main barrier to volunteering (AMBV) among non-volunteers.


METHODS
Data were from the 2005-2006 Arthritis Conditions Health Effects Survey, a cross-sectional random-digit-dialed national telephone survey of noninstitutionalized US adults ages > or = 45 years with self-reported, doctor-diagnosed arthritis. Respondents (n = 1,793; weighted population 37.7 million) were asked if they currently volunteer (work outside the home without pay). Volunteers were asked if arthritis affects their amount or type of volunteering (arthritis-attributable volunteer limitation [AAVL]). Non-volunteers were asked if arthritis is the main reason they do not volunteer (AMBV). Univariable and multivariable-adjusted logistic regression analyses were performed to estimate associations between potential correlates and each outcome.


RESULTS
One-third of the respondents reported volunteering. Among volunteers, 41% (4.9 million) reported AAVL. Among non-volunteers, 27% (6.8 million) reported AMBV. Fair/poor self-rated health was significantly associated with less volunteering (multivariable-adjusted odds ratio [OR] 0.5, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 0.4-0.8) and greater AAVL (multivariable-adjusted OR 2.1, 95% CI 1.1-4.0) and AMBV (multivariable-adjusted OR 1.8, 95% CI 1.2-2.7). Poor physical function was the most strongly associated correlate of both AAVL and AMBV (multivariable-adjusted ORs 8.0 and 4.3, respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
Volunteering is an important role with individual and societal benefits, but almost 12 million adults with arthritis are limited or do not participate in volunteering due to arthritis. Individuals with restrictions in volunteering reported a substantial burden of poor physical function and may benefit from effective, underused interventions designed to improve physical function, delay disability, and enhance arthritis self-management.
Theis
Kristina A
KA
Arthritis Program, Division of Adult and Community Health, CDC, Atlanta, Georgia 30341, USA. KTheis@cdc.gov
Murphy
Louise
L
Hootman
Jennifer M
JM
Helmick
Charles G
CG
Sacks
Jeffrey J
JJ
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001168:Arthritis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006379:Helping Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D051346:Mobility Limitation; D015995:Prevalence; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014838:Volunteers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*