The Prevalence and Impact of Rheumatoid Arthritis

1
The Prevalence and Impact of Rheumatoid Arthritis

2
Prevalence of RA

• Disease prevalence of 0.51.0
• Femalemale ratio of 2.51
• Most common incidence among those aged 4070
  years
• Disease incidence increases with age

3
RA Has a Long-Term Medical Impact

• Radiographic progression
• gt50 of patients have evidence of radiographic
  progression within 2 years of disease onset
• Severe functional decline
• progression of functional decline appears
  greatest in the early stages of disease
• declines in functional status are associated with
  increased costs
• Physical joint deformity resulting in pain and
  loss of mobility
• Joint replacement surgery
• Premature mortality
• patients with more favourable clinical status are
  at less risk than those with poor status

4
RA Is a Substantial Pharmacoeconomic Burden

• Increased direct costs
• eg, costs of inpatient and outpatient care
• Increased indirect costs
• eg, loss of income
• Increased intangible costs
• eg, pain, fatigue, helplessness, psychological
  difficulties

5
The Destructive Events of RA Occur Early

• Joint-space narrowing and erosion are seen
• in gt67 of patients within the first 2 years of
  disease
• in gt72 of patients within the first 5 years of
  disease
• Radiographic progression occurs early and
  continues at a constant rate throughout the
  patients life

6
Importance of Early Aggressive Treatment of RA
50 of patients have evidence of radiographic
damage within the first 2 years
Early
Disease onset
Premature death
Established
End stage
Critical window of opportunity
7
Radiographic Progression is Related to
Disability in RA
Inflammation Disability Radiographs
Severity (Arbitrary Units)
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
Duration of Disease (Years)
Kirwan J. J Rheumatol. 199926720-725.