Researchers have identified another arthritis challenge: possible poverty. For women, the risk appears to be three times higher, they found.

In a study of more than 4,000 Australians, women who developed arthritis were found to be 51% more likely to fall into income poverty than women who were non-arthritic. Among men, arthritis was linked with a 22% increased risk.

Researchers added that women with arthritis were 87% more likely to fall into “multidimensional poverty.” This category encompasses income, health, and education attainment.

“The high risk of poverty should be kept in mind by clinicians seeking the most appropriate treatment for their patients with arthritis, as affordability of out-of-pocket costs may be an important factor,” said Emily Callander, Ph.D., lead author. 

Full findings appear in the journal Arthritis & Rheumatology