Arthritis is one of the most common chronic diseases and is the leading cause of disability in the United States. Arthritis has a tremendous impact on the health and well-being of many North Carolinians. The term “arthritis” refers to more than 100 different conditions affecting the joints surrounding connective tissues. These include osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, gout, lupus, bursitis, Lyme disease and many others. Most of these conditions are characterized by pain, stiffness and sometimes swelling around joints. According to the 2002 North Carolina Arthritis Report by the North Carolina Division of Health, State Center for Health Statistics, almost a quarter of North Carolinians (24.8%) surveyed reported physician-diagnosed arthritis. This represents more than 2 million adults. North Carolina's arthritis prevalence is one of the highest in the nation.Join host Christine Rogers for a UNC-TV HealthWise special on arthritis.