Rheumatoid arthritis compromises patients' careers

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30% of patients found that living with RA affects their work relationships and feel they cannot share their experience of managing RA in their work environment and 3% indicate that RA has affected their life in such a way that they are not able to commit to fulltime employment.

In order to address these findings, 'RA: Join the Fight', a global initiative, with multiple experts from around the globe, is working to empower and aid RA patients in integrating a disease management plan suitable to their lives.

"Due to the progressive nature of RA, it is essential for patients to work closely with their health care providers to develop a strategic disease management plan based on clinical and personal goals," says Dr Cathy Spargo, a rheumatologist in Pinelands, Western Cape. "The survey reiterates the need for such customised programmes and, on a local front, health care providers have adopted the Treat2Target (T2T) approach."

T2T is an international rheumatology initiative developed by rheumatologists and patients aimed at the tight control of RA.

Spargo explains that the premise of the initiative is based on clinical remission where T2T recommendations of addressing disease symptoms in its early stages has been shown to lead to less joint damage and better physical function.

An estimated 78% of patients rely on rheumatologists to assist in the management of their RA and, among those with multiple health care providers, 54% say that the rheumatologist is their primary provider of RA management. These findings support the vital role of a rheumatologist in joining the fight in combatting the disease in its early stages. Locally, 81% of surveyed patients describe their health care provider as extremely or very understanding about the impact of RA on their life, globally only 61% of respondents agreed with the statement.

Disease management plan critical

RA is a chronic autoimmune disease that attacks healthy joints and 70% of South Africans report that their fingers and hands are most affected. If a patient follows a strict disease management plan, further deterioration of joints can be avoided and, in many cases, a patient can live a full and healthy life, however according to the survey only 1 in 5 patients prioritise the prevention of further joint damage as their most important goal in managing RA.

Mistakenly, 63% of South Africans respondents believe that an absence of pain means that the disease is under control. The survey also indicates that 51% of South Africans suffering with RA feel living with the disease would be easier if their loved ones were more sympathetic about the impact of the condition on their lives.

88% of respondents believe that people outside of the RA community do not have a complete understanding of what it is like to live with RA and rely on support from fellow patients suffering from the disease. Patients in South Africa are more likely than their global counterparts are to agree that RA poses a significant financial burden. All patients rely on information sources to better their understanding of the disease; these include healthcare providers (83%), print material (62%) and patient advocacy organisations (33%).

92% of South Africans agree that a disease management plan is essential to helping control the progression of RA. Although there is no known cure for the disease, 'RA: Join the Fight' campaign aims to encourage individuals from all over the globe to start the conversation and work together to develop a plan to manage their disease.

For more information, go to www.RAJointheFight.com.