Quality of Life in RA?

Rheumatology Network—June 30, 2015

The Rheumatology Network reports on two recent surveys that suggest that only 30 percent of patients living with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) describe their disease as "under control" and almost half have stopped doing or participating in certain activities. The article also mentions that more than 80 percent of patients living with RA are generally satisfied with their relationship with their health care providers and participate in treatment decision-making. Survey data also suggests that the disconnect between patients' satisfaction and perceived control is even more pronounced in patients whose health care provider describes their RA as moderate to severe.

"Patients are less dissatisfied with their doctors than they are with the communication with their doctors. For many years we have noted in our charts that patients are 'doing well' when they, in fact, may not be doing well. This communications gap obviously affects patient care," comments the co-chair of the RA NarRAtive Advisory Panel Allan Gibofsky, MD, a rheumatologist at Hospital for Special Surgery in New York.

To read more, visit www.rheumatologynetwork.com.