THREE out of four arthritis sufferers are affected by at least one other chronic condition.
Cardiovascular issues are the most common additional chronic health problem (44 per cent), followed by back problems (29 per cent), mental health problems (23 per cent), asthma (14 per cent) and diabetes (13 per cent).
In people 45 and over, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is 1.7 times more likely in arthritis sufferers than in the general population.
The information released by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare is based on data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics 2011-12 National Health Survey, last updated in June this year.
After adjusting for age, people with arthritis are more likely to be current smokers (23 per cent compared to 16 per cent without arthritis), physically inactive (21 per cent compared with 18 per cent) and obese (32 per cent compared to 22 per cent).
"Having multiple chronic health problems is often associated with worse health outcomes, a poorer quality of life and more complex clinical management and increased health costs ," said institute spokeswoman Louise York.
