Health care utilization among rheumatoid arthritis patients referred to a rheumatology center: Unequal needs, unequal care?

Objective. To quantify the utilization of health care by rheumatoid arthrit is (RA) patients and to estimate the contribution of patient characteristic s to the explanation of the use of care, in order to evaluate whether those in need of care actually receive care. Methods. A questionnaire survey and a clinical examination were conducted a mong patients with RA referred to a rheumatology center. Health care utiliz ation was assessed for medical care, allied health care, psychosocial care, and home care. The influence of sociodemographic variables and clinical an d health characteristics on health care utilization was assessed by means o f logistic regression. Results, Multivariate analyses showed that, for all types of services, dise ase-related factors explained most of the utilization. However, some sociod emographic variables (age, sex, and living situation) were also related to the utilization of care. Conclusion. Most patients received the care they needed. However, for the e lderly with RA, problems in access to allied health care and psychosocial c are exist.