The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study released yesterday more than half of the 20.6 million U.S. adults, who have diabetes also have arthritis, painful joint condition that makes them far less likely to exercise.

The study published in the May 9 issue of Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, a publication of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention articulated that arthritis keeps the diabetic people from getting the exercise they need to keep both diseases at bay.

Dr. John Klippel, president of the Arthritis Foundation said, the survey of nearly 800,000 people is the first extensive look into the two conditions. In a telephone interview, "The prevalence of arthritis in a diabetic population is astoundingly high," said Dr. John Klippel, president of the Arthritis Foundation. "Over half the people with diabetes have arthritis. If in fact you have both conditions, you are quite unlikely to be physically active," he said.

According to the study, nearly 30 % of diabetics with arthritis are likely to be physically inactive, compared with 21 % of diabetics who do not have arthritis. Overall, 46.4 million adults have arthritis and 20.6 million have diabetes.