The risk of arthritis increases with:

• Getting older. Osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and gout are more common in older adults.
• Being overweight or obese.
• Having previous injuries or infections that affected a joint.
• Playing sports or doing repetitive work that puts extra stress on some joints.
• Genetics. Genes related to the immune system are linked to a higher risk of having rheumatoid arthritis.
• Gender. Women are more likely to get rheumatoid arthritis, but men have gout more often than women.
• Medications. Certain medications raise the risk of gout flares.
• Diet and lifestyle choices. Eating a lot of animal products (e.g., meat, fish, shellfish, eggs, dairy), drinking alcohol, or consuming sugary products increase risk of gout.

Last Updated April 2023