Rheumatoid arthritis is a disease almost unknown despite more than 200,000 people have it in Spain.

According to the study psychosocial Living with Rheumatoid Arthritis promoted by ConArtritis


● A large percentage of society does not know what the main symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). In fact, 83% of patients interviewed did not know what the AR at the time of diagnosis

● Over the past years has reduced the time between the onset of symptoms and definitive diagnosis of RA. Still, it remains vital to conduct an early diagnosis to begin treatment as soon as possible with the right drug.

● RA is a highly disabling disease, pain, fatigue and loss of functionality aspects are more negatively affect the quality of life of patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

● RA affects significantly to the personal and family life and work of the patient

● Thanks to the biological drugs, and better ways of monitoring a large number of patients could have better control of symptoms and even these treatments have succeeded in stopping the progression, leading to a large increase in the quality of life people with RA.


A modified release and a cross and patients living with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) the time at which it transmits the rheumatologist diagnosis of disease sufferers. A release because finally know the cause of the symptoms have been gradually limiting his daily activities and a cross because they face a chronic, disabling disease, which erode substantially undermined their welfare and quality of life.

This is one of the results of Living with Rheumatoid Arthritis study sponsored by the National Coordinator of Arthritis (ConArtritis), which launched this morning and approached from a psychological point of view how patients live their different stages of disease and how they deal with an ailment that, in 77% of cases considered unknown to society. In fact, 83% of patients interviewed did not know what the AR at the time of diagnosis.

And is that although a high percentage of society ignores the implications of this disease exist in Spain more than 200,000 people affected by RA, which represents a prevalence of 0.5% (1). This disease has become also the most common cause of potentially reversible disability in the Western world.


The study, which has enjoyed the cooperation of Roche and has been found useful for rheumatic patients by the Spanish Society of Rheumatology (SER), which usually reveals the diagnosis of RA is a long time, starting normally the primary care physician, and is sometimes associated with a pilgrimage to various medical specialties until finally the patient arrives at the reference specialist, rheumatologist, who is establishing the accurate diagnosis of RA.

But fortunately there is a positive development: The delay to diagnosis was shorter in patients who participated in the study with a newly diagnosed RA than in those diagnosed over 10 years.

Quite contrary to widespread belief that RA is a disease of older people, the first symptoms of RA may manifest after age 25, when the person is fully productive age. So 62% of patients in the study are aged between 26 and 55. I began to suffer the first symptoms before the age of 30 years. My youth and the little information that had caused disease which never thought of it could be Rheumatoid Arthritis, says Laly Warden, executive secretary of ConArtritis.


Assuming the disease

Once the diagnosis, there are two words that resonate in the minds of patients: chronic and limiting. Both words ultimately translate into one: disabling.

Receiving the news of getting this type of disease, with which we must live our entire lives and we have to go tailoring is a great emotional impact, explains Antonio Torralba, ConArtritis president.
The patient initiates a process of internalization of the disease, although 88% of respondents acknowledged having accepted, 67% of them said that his character changed as a result of RA, and 32% which was diagnosed following considered a more serious person or sad.

However, over time, as the patient manages more information, the situation usually improves.

The attitude of a person against disease is vital. Face life with optimism and confidence in the future is undoubtedly what makes the difference between these patients and others, Laly says Warden.


The work and personal impact of RA in daily

After diagnosis and acceptance of the disease, the patient must face the hardest part: the day to day. Dressing, grooming, household tasks or hold certain jobs may become an insurmountable obstacle for people affected by AR, since the joint deterioration makes even the simplest tasks become milestones with considerable complications.

According to Antonio Torralba, quality of life of RA patients is severely impaired. In 65% of cases pain is the most affecting aspect of the study participants, followed by fatigue reported by 62%, and loss of function in 60% of cases.

For this reason, many people are forced to abandon or redefine countless small tasks before illness smoothly. This affects the working environment very obvious where the patient faces a total inability to 35% of cases, frequent medial and sometimes impossibility to continue performing the same functions.

At impact on the working environment would add, moreover, those that occur on a personal level. Thus, according incorporates the study, RA patients are subjected to psychological disturbances, major changes in family function-they go from being caregivers to be cared for, and major adjustments in terms of their partnership. And is that 35% of patients have a degree of disability above 65%.


The hope of new treatments

Treatment with biologic agents has led to many patients a major step in increasing their quality of life. These new drugs may have gotten a better control of symptoms of the disease, and in many cases have managed to halt its progression, leading to the possibility of recovering part of normal daily activities.

However, according to data published in Rheumatoid Arthritis Study: burden of disease and patient access to treatment (2), in 2000 only 8% of patients with RA in our country was treated with biologic agents.

In this regard, Dr. Rosario García de Vicuña, president of the Spanish Society of Rheumatology (SER), states that the diagnosis and early treatment slow the progression of the disease and slow down deterioration of the joint, and thereby achieves a decrease in its impact on the patient, as well as days lost due to disability.

He adds, biological treatments and new patterns of onset and follow our expectations have changed because we have shown that it can have an activity of the disease from zero, while previously we were satisfied with the patient often be maintained at 3 or 5, in a hypothetical scale of zero to ten.

With regard to patients' trust in their doctor reference, the rheumatologist, the chair of the SER highlights the results of the study, which states that a patient's basic needs is to feel heard, and 86.4 % of participants said that it succeeds. Moreover, according to this research, patients believe that the rheumatologist, who knows the disease as a resource and not as patient or family concerned is that which can tell you about their situation, both in relation to disease progression, as the treatment to follow.

Antonio Torralba, ConArtritis president, notes, meanwhile, that patients who belong to associations are more informed about the disease and possible treatments. These people have a clearer perception of the progress occurring in research, particularly in the area of biological therapies, he says.

While I believe that every patient should be treated with medication that best fits your needs, personally I must say that the possibility of resorting to new and different therapies is something that calms me, Laly says Warden.

Overall, the relationship between the RA patient and rheumatologist is usually very small, establishing between them a close and trusting relationship.


About RA

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease, chronic and deforming characterized by inflammation of the membrane around the joints. This inflammation causes pain, stiffness and swelling, which can lead to irreversible destruction of the joints.

The condition is highly disabling and affects young adults aged 25 to 55 years.

In our country there are 200,000 people suffering from this disease and its prevalence is 0.5 percent.


About ConArtritis

The National Coordinator of Arthritis (ConArtritis) is a non-profit association which brings together 15 associations of RA patients in Spain.

Since its founding in 2004, ConArtritis focuses its efforts on providing both information and support to people suffering from this disease as well as in disseminating their ideas, needs and opinions.