Arthritis in Ancient History

Arthritis is one of the most common medical problems in the world and also perhaps one of the most ancient.

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.

The word ‘arthritis’ is a blend of the Greek words ‘arthron’ for joint and ‘itis’ is for inflammation. Therefore, ‘arthritis’ literally means ‘joint inflammation’.

The disease was not named until the mid-nineteenth century, when a London doctor chose, in the contemporary fashion for Greek labels on medical matters.

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

It is also known that signs of diseases of the joints are undoubtedly the most widespread in the skeletons of all ancient peoples, from the Neanderthal and Cro-Magnon races and all pre-historic populations to the present day.

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.

It was estimated that osteoarthritis was present at an 8 to 15 percent frequency in the general ancient Greek population.

There is also evidence of arthritis in skeletons ranging form the Sub-Mycenaean through the Hellenistic period (1100 BC through the second century BC).

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.
Arthritis in Ancient History