According to Dr. Uma Kumar, Professor, and Head of the rheumatology department at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, rheumatic musculoskeletal illnesses affect around 15–25% of the Indian population. The majority of these involve several organs, resulting in the development of severe co-morbidities, thereby shortening their life expectancy. Speaking on the occasion of World Arthritis Day, observed in October every year, Dr. Uma stated that the theme for this year was "It′s in your hand, take action."

She noted that the prevalence of arthritis, which is common in the female population, has increased manifold over the past decade, and the COVID pandemic has exacerbated the issue. She explained that the COVID pandemic has unmasked various inflammatory diseases, and they have observed an increase in auto-immune diseases like pain in joints, stiffness of the body, and the incursion of muscles, which have increased along with other rheumatic disorders.

On the other hand, Dr. Kaushal Kant Mishra, Director of Bone and Joint Institute, Fortis Escort, stated that COVID-19 has no direct role in the progression of arthritis but that due to lockdown, activity and mobility were severely restricted, which exacerbated the symptoms of osteoarthritis. 

(Source: https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/health/arthritis-on-the-rise-among-women-post-covid-say-experts-441825 )