The Burden of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid Arthritis impacts patients in their everyday lives. A number of studies have addressed this issue through patient self-reported questionnaires and interviews.^{25a 26a} Some of the key findings of how RA impacts patients in their work-life, daily activities, emotions, and relationships are detailed below.

Patients with RA have reported being less productive due to RA.^{25b 27a} In some cases, this included leaving the workforce due to RA, the primary reasons being fatigue, pain or stiffness, and mobility difficulties.^26b Lost productivity contributes to the economic burden of RA.²⁸

Patients have reported difficulty performing valued life activities, including gardening, minor repairs, hobbies, activities with children, and physically strenuous leisure activities.^29a

Patients with RA often have depression or depressive symptoms.^27b Depression has been associated with increases in mortality, cardiovascular problems, and disability in patients with RA.^27c

In a study of women with RA, patients reported concealing their pain from others and feeling that others do not understand their pain or fatigue.^25c

25 - Strand V, Wright GC, Bergman MJ, Tambiah J, Taylor PC. Patient expectations and perceptions of goal-setting strategies for disease management in rheumatoid arthritis. J Rheumatol. 2015; 42(11):2046-2054.
26 - Bertin P, Fagnani F, Duburcq A, et al. Impact of rheumatoid arthritis on career progression, productivity, and employability: the PRET Study. Joint Bone Spine. 2016; 83(1):47-52.
27 - Cutolo M, Kitas GD, van Riel PLCM. Burden of disease in treated rheumatoid arthritis patients: going beyond the joint. Semin Arthritis Rheum. 2014; 43:479-488.
28 - Zhu TY, Tam L-S, Li EK. Societal costs of rheumatoid arthritis in Hong Kong: a prevalence-based cost-of-illness study. Rheumatology. 2011; 50:1293-1301.
29 - Ahlstrand I, Bjӧrk M, Thyberg I, Falkmer T. Pain and difficulties performing valued life activities in women and men with rheumatoid arthritis. Clin Rheumatol. 2015; 34:1353-1362.