Social implications of rheumatic diseases

Abstract

Social consequences of a disease constitute limitations in performing roles relating to working life as well as family and social life caused by the disease, mainly chronic. The aim of the study was to analyze the social consequences of rheumatic diseases in the aspect of disability pensions with respect to incapacity for work and quality of life. The occurrence of rheumatic diseases is related not only to increased risk of different types of organic changes, but above all disability. In Europe almost 50% of persons suffering from diseases of the musculoskeletal system who are currently unemployed were breadwinners. Nearly 60% of them received legal disability status. The loss of work ability is, among other things, the consequence of progressive disability. In Europe 40% of persons suffering from rheumatoid arthritis (RA) had to stop working due to the disease. Most of the persons diagnosed with RA were of working age. It results in the decrease in the quality of life as well as economic difficulties (decreased incomes and increased disease-related costs). In Poland the results of the analysis of the Social Insurance Institution (ZUS) of first-time disability recognition issued for the purpose of disability pensions in 2014 showed that the incapacity for work was caused by diseases relating to general health condition (65.5%). Diseases of the musculoskeletal system were the cause of partial inability to work of 21.6% of persons who received a disability pension for the first time (as many as 5,349 certificates were issued). Early diagnosis and implementation of effective treatment are the necessary conditions for a patient to sustain activity, both professional and social, which is of crucial importance to reduce the negative effects of the disease.

Work disability in rheumatic diseases: Baseline results from an inception cohort

“…10,30 In addition to unemployment/ The unemployment rate in rheumatic diseases in our study was relatively lower compared to those in the literature, where one-third to one-half were reported from disease onset to the first year of diagnosis, 25,41,42,45,46 and over one-half was reported in established diseases. 5,7,8,10,30,47 The relatively lower rate of unemployment/early retirement observed in our inception cohort could be attributed to the following 3 reasons. (1) Our patients with newly diagnosed rheumatic diseases were in relatively earlier stages of work disability compared to patients of various disease durations in other studies.…”

“…26,28,29,48,49 Finally, in the late stage of work disability, the patient makes a decision to stop working completely (Stage 4). [5][6][7][8][9][10]30 A patient may move back and forth from 1 stage to another with changes in health status due to disease progression and interventions, as well as other contextual factors including work, social and psychological characteristics. 27,[31][32][33][34] Reporting only 1 or 2 stages of work disability, which was the case for many previous studies, might underestimate the impact of disease.…”

Changes in MiRNA-5196 Expression as a Potential Biomarker of Anti-TNF-α Therapy in Rheumatoid Arthritis and Ankylosing Spondylitis Patients

“…Overall, both diseases result in stiffness, pain and joint deformities. Although, the management of rheumatic diseases has undergone major advances in recent years, both in terms of the drugs discovery and therapeutic strategy but still pose a significant socioeconomic problem (Klak et al 2016 ). Unfortunately, current treatment still does not guarantee complete recovery of patients with rheumatic diseases and it is only possible to slow down or reduce the disease activity.…”

Calidad de vida, nivel de salud percibido y factores sociodemográficos en personas con artritis reumatoide

“…En Colombia, el grupo latinoamericano para el estudio de la AR afirma que esta patología autoinmune es compleja en su manejo, por lo que se espera que cada vez se ofrezca un abordaje biopsicosocial a las personas y se realicen estudios de investigación a gran escala que permitan mostrar el impacto de esta enfermedad en la salud pública y en la productividad de la población (3). La calidad de vida y el nivel de salud percibidos por las personas con artritis reumatoide son fenómenos complejos de gran importancia porque implican el entendimiento de las variables que caracterizan la experiencia de vivir con una enfermedad catastrófica debido a la ausencia de cura y la condición de cronicidad de la misma (4,5). De esta forma, al no existir un tratamiento efectivo que contrarreste los signos y síntomas de daño articular y de afectación sistémica, se hace imprescindible que los profesionales de la salud conozcan la complejidad del fenómeno y trabajen en el fomento del bienestar y de servicios de salud apropiados para estas personas.…”