Disease impact of rheumatoid arthritis in patients not treated with advanced therapies; survey findings from the National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society.

Objective: The aim was to reveal the everyday impact of living with RA in people not treated with advanced therapies (i.e. biologic or targeted synthetic DMARDs).

Methods: People with RA, with disease duration >2 years, not currently treated with advanced therapies, completed an online survey promoted by the National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society. Items covered demographics, current treatment, RA flare frequency, the Rheumatoid Arthritis Impact of Disease (RAID) tool and questions reflecting work status and ability. Descriptive and multivariable regression analyses were performed.

Results: There were 612 responses from patients having a mean age of 59 years, 88% female, 37.7% with disease duration 2-5 years and 27.9% with disease duration 5-10 years. In the last year, 90% reported an RA flare, with more than six flares in 23%. A RAID patient acceptable state was recorded in 12.4%. Each of the seven domains was scored in the high range by >50% respondents; 74.3% scored sleep problems and 72% fatigue in the high range. A need to change working hours was reported by 70%. Multivariable analyses revealed that increasing difficulties with daily physical activities, reduced emotional and physical well-being in the past week were all significantly associated with pain, number of flares and ability to cope ( < 0.005). The RAID score was significantly predictive of the number of flares.

Conclusion: Patients not currently treated with advanced therapies experience profound difficulties in everyday living with RA, across a broad range of measures. We advocate that patient-reported measures be used to facilitate holistic care, addressing inflammation and other consequences of RA on everyday life.