A. Mcentegart et al., EFFECT OF SOCIAL DEPRIVATION ON DISEASE SEVERITY AND OUTCOME IN PATIENTS WITH RHEUMATOID-ARTHRITIS, Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases, 56(7), 1997, pp. 410-413
Objective-Social deprivation is now recognised to have an important im
pact on morbidity and mortality. This study sought to ascertain the ef
fect of deprivation, if any, on disease severity, functional disabilit
y, and outcome in rheumatoid patients in Glasgow. Methods-814 patients
with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were assessed for clinical, functional
, and laboratory indices of disease activity. Deprivation categories f
or individual patients were determined using the Carstairs index. Five
year follow up is available for 440 patients. Results-The study popul
ation of RA patients Live largely in the most deprived areas, Patients
from deprived areas have significantly poorer function at outset and
at five years as defined by the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ)
score. This is not attributable to differences in disease duration in
patients from the most deprived regions or compliance with treatment.
Furthermore, these patients do not achieve over five years the initial
functional level of those living in the most advantaged localities. C
onclusion-PA patients from deprived areas have poorer function, which
is associated with greater need-medical, social, and paramedical. Stra
tegies and resources for healthcare need to be adjusted according to t
his variation.