Abstract

“To be able to do what I want to do” is a common goal for the rehabilitation of patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). New biological medications and earlier multiprofessional intervention has led to a reduction in the extent of disability for patients. However disability remains a key problem for patients and challenge for health professionals. For example, in the Swedish TIRA-project (Early Interventions in Rheumatoid Arthritis), patients of working age report a high number of participation restrictions in work, leisure and social activities despite early interventions, including biological medication and multi-professional treatment. As a consequence these patients experience emotions such as anger and frustration because they are unable to fulfil their roles and valued activities.

This session will present an overview of how men and women of working age with RA describe what participation is to them and the potential for them to participate in their daily activities in the way they want to. It will further discuss if today's patients with RA experience an increased need to be able to participate in society and the implications of this for rehabilitation.