Diabetes and arthritis are two of the most common chronic conditions seen in U.S. adults older than age 65. Diabetes is the result of high blood sugar, and arthritis is a problem related to your joints, so it wouldn’t appear that the two conditions have much in common. However, they often occur together. Research suggests that just over 50 percent of people with Type 2 diabetes will develop osteoarthritis. Similarly, people with rheumatoid arthritis appear to be at higher risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.
To understand the link between these conditions, it helps to know why they develop and what puts you at risk.
Understanding Diabetes and Arthritis
A disease that starts in the endocrine system, diabetes is characterized by high blood glucose levels. The two forms you likely hear about most are Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes:
- Type 1 diabetes occurs when your body doesn’t produce enough (or any) insulin, the hormone that helps your cells turn blood glucose, or sugar, into energy. Type 1 diabetes can develop at any age but more commonly occurs in children and young adults. It used to be referred to as juvenile diabetes.
- Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of the disease. It develops when your body stops responding to insulin the way it should and typically appears after age 45.
Arthritis, on the other hand, affects your joints, causing inflammation, swelling, pain, stiffness and other uncomfortable symptoms. More than 100 forms of arthritis exist.
Osteoarthritis is the most common form of the disease. It develops over time due to wear and tear on joints and, as a result, is seen mostly in older adults. People with osteoarthritis commonly experience joint pain in the knees, hips and hands.
Rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disease in which the immune system mistakenly attacks joints, is also common and, like osteoarthritis, becomes more common with age. Rheumatoid arthritis often starts in the hands, knees and wrists but, over time, affects the feet and ankles.
Diabetes and Arthritis: Why the Increased Risk?
There are many theories as to why these two conditions occur together, in part because diabetes and arthritis share certain characteristics:
- Age. Osteoarthritis and Type 2 diabetes are more likely to affect older adults than younger adults, so aging increases your risk of developing either condition.
- Inflammation. According to the Arthritis Foundation, people with rheumatoid and other forms of inflammatory arthritis and people with all forms of diabetes have higher levels of cytokines, suggesting that inflammation plays a role in the development of both conditions. Anti-inflammatory medications have also been shown to lower blood sugar and potentially even reduce the risk of diabetes.
- Physical health. Osteoarthritis and Type 2 diabetes share similar risk factors, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol and a condition called prediabetes, in which your blood sugar is high but not high enough for a Type 2 diabetes diagnosis. In addition, having arthritis makes you less likely to exercise. An active lifestyle can prevent weight gain and reduce the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.
- Problems with the immune system. Autoimmune diseases can occur throughout the body and having one can increase your risk of developing another. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease, as is inflammatory arthritis, a category that includes rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis, which often affects people with the skin condition psoriasis.
Managing Life with Diabetes and Arthritis
Whether diabetes causes arthritis or vice versa, it’s clear the conditions commonly occur together. The good news is, there are steps you can take to prevent or manage both.
- Reach and maintain a healthy body weight. Carrying extra weight is one of the most common risk factors for arthritis and diabetes. Obesity or being overweight puts pressure on your joints and increases your risk for Type 2 diabetes. According to the American Diabetes Association, dropping just 5% to 10% of your weight, which is 10 to 20 pounds for someone who weighs 200 pounds, helps manage or prevent Type 2 diabetes. It also reduces arthritis pain.
- Exercise regularly. It may sound counterintuitive, but exercising can help you cope with arthritis-related pain and stiffness. Plus, the more you move, the more calories you burn, which helps you achieve a healthy weight. Start with easy, joint-friendly exercises, such as walking, cycling and water aerobics. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise each week. You can start with just a few minutes a day and gradually build from there.
- Eat a healthy diet. Focus on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy products, and lean sources of protein (think beans, fish and poultry). Avoid processed foods high in salt, saturated fat and sugar. This helps in numerous ways. First, it helps you achieve a healthy weight. Second, it helps you keep your cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugar under control, all of which can help you avoid or manage arthritis and diabetes. Finally, many whole foods play a role in reducing inflammation, while processed foods can promote inflammation in the body.
- Schedule regular checkups. Visits to your primary care provider, who could be a medical doctor, nurse practitioner or physician assistant, help to keep tabs on your blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels. If any of those begin to get too high, your provider can prescribe treatments to keep them within healthy ranges.
In general, the healthier your lifestyle, the lower your risk of chronic conditions. By taking control of common risk factors, you reduce the likelihood of developing Type 2 diabetes, arthritis and many other health problems that can limit your quality of life.
More to Read
- Osteoarthritis Treatments: Today and Tomorrow
- Osteoarthritis: 5 Foods to Eat and 5 to Avoid to Help Control Your Symptoms
- 6 Ways Arthritis Puts Pressure on Your Health
- Knee Osteoarthritis: Prevention and Treatment Options
Medically reviewed by Christine Kane, MSN, RN, CDCES, CCRN-K, Diabetes Nurse Consultant, UM Upper Chesapeake Medical Center.
