Daily Arthritis Symptoms Plague a Population in Pain

(ARA) - Despite tremendous advancements in treatments available for rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a nationwide survey by the Arthritis Foundation shows that nearly 70 percent of people currently receiving RA treatment still experience pain, stiffness and fatigue on a daily basis. Results also reveal that more than one-third rank their quality of life with RA at only a five out of ten. To identify unmet needs of the RA community regarding treatment options and quality of life, the Arthritis Foundation, in collaboration with Harris Interactive, surveyed 500 adults with RA. The most common medications used to treat RA include disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), such as leflunomide or methotrexate, and biologic response modifiers (BRMs), such as etanercept, adalimumab, anakinra and infliximab.

While half of the people surveyed report that some symptoms, such as joint pain, stiffness, and swelling are reduced by medication, 49 percent report they continue to change their daily household activities as a result of their arthritis.

“This survey brings to light the need for aggressive research in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, a disease affecting more than 2.1 million Americans,” says Dr. John H. Klippel, president and CEO, Arthritis Foundation. “It is a clear indication that we still have a great deal of work to do to improve quality of life for people with RA when more than one-third of the people surveyed feel their condition affects their ability to control their own future or perform daily activities, in spite of taking their medication. The Arthritis Foundation encourages people with RA to play an active role in their treatment by asking their physicians about the latest treatments available, as well as promising new research on the horizon.”

Despite significant improvements in treatment for RA over the past 10 years, the survey also found that among those affected by the disease:

• More than 50 percent are extremely concerned about their ability to take care of themselves or the likelihood of becoming disabled in the future
• The two most important factors in possible new treatments for RA are that the medication relieves pain more completely or provides longer periods of relief from their pain
• The top three concerns about RA treatments are the potential for long-term consequences for overall health, an increased risk of infection, and inadequate relief of fatigue
• Nearly three-quarters are very or extremely interested in having their treating physician tell them about new RA therapies
• Nearly two-thirds are very or extremely interested in having their treating physician tell them about new RA clinical trials for which they might qualify and spend more time explaining RA medications

“These findings clearly show that patients desire more information and heightened communications with their treating physicians,” says Dr. Eric Ruderman, medical advisor to the Arthritis Foundation and assistant professor, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University. “This represents a call-to-action to the healthcare community to expand our dialogue with patients about current treatments, discuss new RA clinical trials and keep them abreast of emerging research, such as different approaches to impact the immune cell interaction in RA.”

Arthritis is the nation’s leading cause of disability, costing the U.S. economy more than $86 billion annually. RA is an autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system attacks healthy joint tissue and causes inflammation and joint damage. The disease often persists for many years, typically affecting many different joints throughout the body, and causing damage to the cartilage, bone, tendons and ligaments of the joints. RA affects women three times more often than men, primarily in the childbearing years of a woman’s life.

For more information about steps you can take to improve your quality of life with RA, contact the Arthritis Foundation at (800) 283-7800 or visit www.arthritis.org. The Arthritis Foundation offers free information, materials and access to “RA Connect” an interactive online community and comprehensive resource created by and for people living with rheumatoid arthritis as a creative means to connect with others who have been touched by the disease.

Courtesy of ARA Content