Socio-economic consequences of rheumatoid arthritis in the first years of the disease

Objective. Few data have been presented to document the impact of rheumatoi d arthritis (RA) on socio-economic well-being. In this study, exact figures on socio-economic consequences were assessed. Methods. The socio-economic consequences were studied in an inception cohor t (186 early RA patients, mean disease duration 3 yr) by measuring the chan ge in work capability, income, rest during the daytime, leisure time activi ty, transport mobility, housing and social support occurring in the first y ears of the disease. Results. For 89% of the patients, RA had an impact on one of the socio-econ omic items; for 58%, at least three of these items were affected simultaneo usly. Work disability appeared to be 4-15 times higher than in the general population. After 3 yr, 42% of the patients were registered as work disable d. Nearly a quarter of the patients experienced income reduction. Over 40% of the patients claimed extra rest during the daytime. Leisure activity cha nged towards activities with a lower joint load. There was a decline in tra nsport mobility for 52% of the patients. Social support increased strongly. Conclusions. Socio-economic change already presents in the first years of R A and appears to be influenced by age, gender, marital status and work disa bility. Furthermore, physical limitation appeared to be predictive for work -related income reduction, reduced transport mobility and development of so cial dependency.