Military veterans may have higher rates of arthritis than civilians, a new study found.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released a study recently that found arthritis may be more common in military veterans than in non-veteran civilians. To reach this conclusion, researchers analyzed data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System for the years 2011 to 2013. The survey asked participants about their veteran status, demographics and arthritis status.

Nationally, more than one-fourth of veterans had arthritis, compared to 23.6 percent of non-veterans.

"I'm not surprised to see the study say that a higher percentage of veterans suffer from arthritis," Dr. Paul A. Pirraglia, chief of Primary Care at the Providence VA Medical Center, told Warwick Online. He discussed the physical feats military members perform during their time in service, saying, "All of this is going to put a strain on the joints. It may not be an acute injury, but it is a prolonged strain over the years that they serve."

Veterans, therefore, may be at higher risk for osteoarthritis and joint deterioration because of the lifestyle associated with military service. This information is useful for providers, who may now be aware they should screen their veteran patients for arthritis - and for veterans themselves, who should know that any joint pain or other arthritis symptoms they experience deserve attention.

For more on arthritis:

5 Tips to Staying Active with Osteoarthritis
An Introduction to Exercising with Arthritis
Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis: Understanding the Differences