ARTHRITIS AND MUSCULOSKELETAL DISEASES (M00-M99)
Arthritis and musculoskeletal diseases (M00-M99) are conditions in which there is inflammation of the joints that can cause pain, stiffness, disability and deformity. It also includes other joint problems and disorders of the bones, muscles and their attachments. Arthritis and musculoskeletal diseases were the underlying cause for 1,179 registered deaths in Australia in 2008. Arthritis and musculoskeletal diseases were identified as either an underlying cause or associated cause of death for 6,964 deaths registered in 2008.
The standardised death rate for Arthritis and musculoskeletal diseases was 4.8 per 100,000 population in 2008, the same as in 1999. The standardised death rate for males in 2008 was 4.2 per 100,000, and 5.2 per 100,000 for females.
Of all deaths due to Arthritis and musculoskeletal diseases in 2008, 776 or 66% were females, predominantly in the age group 75 to 94 years. Median age at death for deaths due to these diseases was 81.2 years for males, 85.4 years for females and 84.3 years overall. Potential life lost due to deaths from these diseases was 1,884 years for males and 2,452 years for females (see Explanatory Notes 43-45 for further information on Years of Potential Life Lost).
Arthritis (M00-M25) was the underlying cause of 426 deaths, which accounted for 36% of all deaths due to these diseases, with the most common age group for both males and females being 80-89 years.
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