Arthritis through History

Arthritis, one of the oldest known ailments to afflict humanity, has left its mark on history with its varied forms and intriguing connections to human lifestyle and evolution. Dating back to antiquity, arthritis, particularly gout or gouty arthritis, was recognized as a malady by the ancient Greek physician Hippocrates in the 5th century B.C. Interestingly, the term "gout" once served as a blanket description for all forms of arthritis, showcasing its pervasive presence in early medical literature.

Renowned as the "Disease of Kings," gout earned its regal epithet due to its link with opulent diets rich in meats, seafood, and alcoholic beverages, commonly associated with affluent lifestyles. This association is vividly portrayed in historical art and literature, often accompanied by moral judgments on the character of those afflicted.

Delving deeper into the annals of medical and archaeological records, it becomes evident that arthritis has plagued humans and even hominids since Paleolithic times. In the British Isles, a significant prevalence of arthritis is noted in remains from Romano-British and Saxon burials, hinting at both genetic predisposition and a remarkably high level of physical activity among these ancient populations.

Remarkably, despite advancements in modern medicine and lifestyle changes, the prevalence of arthritis in the past might have been lower than in contemporary times. Studies examining skeletal remains from the late Medieval period reveal a decline in arthritis prevalence, possibly attributed to changes in physical activity accompanying shifts from hunting-gathering to agrarian societies. Additionally, severe cases of osteoporosis have been unearthed in individual skeletons from the Bronze Age, shedding light on the adverse effects of lifestyle transitions on bone health.

Intriguingly, historical evidence from the Early Medieval period in Nubia indicates a progressive bone loss in women, possibly linked to factors such as multiple pregnancies, prolonged lactation, and dietary deficiencies. This echoes findings from the 18th and 19th centuries, where post-menopausal bone loss was observed but not as severe as in contemporary times, hinting at the role of modern lifestyle factors in exacerbating skeletal health issues.

In summary, the history of arthritis is a tale woven with threads of medical observation, societal norms, and evolutionary shifts. From its ancient manifestations to its portrayal as a disease of excess, arthritis offers a window into the complexities of human health and adaptation throughout the ages. As we unravel its historical nuances, we gain valuable insights into the interplay between genetics, lifestyle, and disease prevalence across different epochs of human civilization.
Arthritis through History

Research on arthritis in modern times

According to the CDC, arthritis accounts for 18% or nearly 9 million reports of disability, making it the number one cause of adult disability. Rheumatoid arthritis and gout are two types of arthritis. Both types affect the joints, causing pain and inflammation.

In 1715, William Musgrave British physician was credited with the earliest description of arthritis. He published the second edition of his most important medical work, De arthritide symptomatica, which concerned arthritis and its effects.

De arthritide symptomatica and Musgrave later work De artritide anomala (1707) were included in Sydenham’s Opera medica, volume II, as Dictionary of National Biography notes.

Augustin Jacob Landré-Beauvais, a 28-year-old resident physician at Saltpêtrière Asylum in France was the first person to describe the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. Landre-Beauvais, working under Philippe Pinel, titled his doctoral dissertation 'Doit-on admettre une nouvelle espece de goutte sous la denomination de goutte asthenique primitive '(should one acknowledge a new kind of gout under the name of primary asthenic gout?).' He described a chronic deforming polyarthritis characterized by remissions and exacerbations.

He had examined and treated a handful of patients with severe joint pain that could not be explained by other known nosological entities at the time, neither rheumatism, nor osteoarthritis. Unlike gout, which was the disease of the upper class, this condition mainly affected the poor.

Though Landré-Beauvais' classification of rheumatoid arthritis as a relative of gout was inaccurate, his dissertation encouraged others to further study the disease.

The term rheumatoid arthritis was first suggested in 1859 by Alfred Baring Garrod, who emphasized the differences from gout and rheumatic fever. At a public lecture on 8 February 1848, reported in the Medical Chirurgical Transactions, he demonstrated the increase in uric acid in the blood of patients with gout, whereas there was no such increase in acute rheumatism or Bright's disease.

In 1859, Alfred Garrod wrote his Treatise on Nature of Gout and Rheumatic Gout, wherein he describes his observations. This work differentiated arthritis from gout and also categorized rheumatoid arthritis as a distinct condition, which he referred to as “Rheumatic Gout.”
Research on arthritis in modern times

Arthritis in ancient times

Arthritis pain has been around since the beginning of time. A group of iguanodons, unearthed in Brussels and dating from 85,000 BC had signs of osteoarthritis in their ankles.

Neanderthal man of 30,000 BC remains show that early man had secondary osteoarthritis.

The latest evidence of rheumatoid arthritis was found in the skeletons of people living around 4500 BC in what is today the southern United States.

Scientists also have discovered evidence of arthritis in the bones of mummies from the pyramids of ancient Egypt. There is evidence that at least three pharaohs, including Rameses II (1290 to 1221 BC) and his son Merenptah had ankylosing spondylitis (a type of arthritis).

About 2000 years ago, an Indian medical doctor named Charaka wrote about a disease whose victims had fevers and swollen, a painful joints.

Gout is particularly painful form of arthritis. In ancient times, gouty arthritis was believed to be a ‘rich man’s disease’ because a diet heavy in pork, beer, and port was suspected to be the cause.

Since the ancient Greek physician Hippocrates coined the word arthritis it means swollen joints – people have complained of pain, swelling and stiffness in their limbs.

Historical references to the medicinal use of willow bark date from around 500 BC when Chinese used the plant as a pain reliever, probably in a tea. Hippocrates advised that willow bark and leaves should be chewed to alleviate pain and fever.
Arthritis in ancient times

History of Arthritis

History of Arthritis

Perhaps the oldest known type of arthritis, gout or gouty arthritis has been described since Hippocrates in the 5th century B.C. At one time, the term “gout” was used to describe all types of arthritis. Known as the “Disease of Kings” due to its association with rich foods and alcohol consumption, Colorful depictions of gout can be found in art and literature often with commentary on the moral character of the gout sufferer.

Review of medical and archaeological papers reveals that arthritis has been common in humans and hominids since Paleolithic times.

In the British Isles, there was a particularly high prevalence in remains from Romano-British and Saxon burials suggesting that, whatever genetic factors there may have been, there was an extremely high level of physical activity.

The prevalence of the condition was lower in late Medieval times; and, in at least one study of subjects from the 18th and 19th centuries, lower than in the current population. In early times, there was a reduction in bone density when there was a change from hunter gathering to

agriculture which may have resulted from a change physical activity. Severe cases of osteoporosis have been identified from individual skeletons dated to the Bronze Age.

In the Early Medieval period of Nubia there was progressive bone loss in women. Multiple pregnancy, prolonged lactation and dietary deficiency may have been factors. Though women from the 18th and 19th centuries experienced post-menopausal bone loss, this was not as severe as in the present day.
History of Arthritis