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Living with rheumatoid arthritis: expenditures, health status, and social impact on patients
  1. H M Lapsley1,
  2. L M March2,
  3. K L Tribe3,
  4. M J Cross2,
  5. B G Courtenay3,
  6. P M Brooks4,
  7. For The Arthritis Cost Outcome Project Group
  1. 1School of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of New South Wales, Australia
  2. 2University of Sydney, Department of Rheumatology, Royal North Shore Hospital, St Leonards, NSW 2065, Australia
  3. 3Departments of Medicine and Orthopaedics, St Vincent's Hospital, University of New South Wales, Australia
  4. 4Office of the Executive Dean (Health Sciences) University of Queensland, Australia
  1. Correspondence to:
    Ms K Tribe, Arthritis Cost and Outcome Project, Level 4, Block 4, Royal North Shore Hospital, St Leonards, NSW 2065 Australia;
    k.tribe{at}unsw.edu.au

Abstract

Objective: To determine costs related to living with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and to identify the association between health status—as measured by the Health Status Questionnaire short form-36 (SF-36) and the disease specific index Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ)—and the social impact of RA.

Methods: A prospective cohort study was carried out on 81 patients with RA who completed four consecutive three month cost diaries. The SF-36, HAQ, and social impact at baseline and one year follow up were also assessed.

Results: Women reported worse SF-36 physical function and HAQ scores than men and received more assistance from family and friends. Women spent more on non-prescription medication and devices to assist them than men. Older patients had higher expenditure on visits to health professionals, whereas younger patients spent more on prescription medication and tests. Pension status and membership of private health insurance schemes were important determinants in these differences in expenditure.

Conclusion: Costs increased with duration of disease, those with private health insurance had greater out of pocket costs (excluding membership fees), and those with pension support had fewer costs. Women were more affected by RA than men in health status, social impact, and out of pocket costs.

  • rheumatoid arthritis
  • costs
  • social impact
  • health status
  • HAQ, Health Assessment Questionnaire
  • RA, rheumatoid arthritis
  • SF-36, short form-36 Health Status Questionnaire

https://doi.org/10.1136/ard.61.9.818

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    Footnotes

    • The Arthritis Cost and Outcome Project Group: C Bachmeier, C Cass, M Coolican, M Cross, B Courtenay, M Neil, L Pinczewski, S Quain, F Robertson, S Ruff