Arthritis is an umbrella term used to describe a group of over 100 different conditions that affect the joints, bones, and muscles. The age at which arthritis can start varies depending on the type of arthritis and the individual.
Some forms of arthritis, such as juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) can start in childhood, while other forms, such as osteoarthritis, are more common in older adults.
JIA is the most common type of arthritis in children and it can start as early as infancy. It causes joint pain, swelling, and stiffness, and can affect any joint in the body. It is estimated that one in every thousand children in the US has JIA.
SLE is an autoimmune disease that can affect people of any age, but is most common in women between the ages of 15 and 45. It can cause joint pain, stiffness, and swelling, as well as other symptoms such as fatigue, skin rashes, and fever.
Osteoarthritis is a degenerative condition that is most common in adults over the age of 50. It causes the cartilage in the joints to break down, leading to pain, stiffness, and swelling. It is most common in the hands, hips, and knees.
To sum up, the age at which arthritis can start depends on the type of arthritis and the individual. Some forms of arthritis can start in childhood, while others are more common in adults.