- Results From a Survey Conducted by UCB Assessing the Lifestyles ofWomen With Rheumatoid Arthritis in Seven Major Industrialized Countries
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A global survey reveals that rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has a severeemotional and physical impact on people living with the disease and theirfamilies. Feelings of detachment and isolation from those closest to them dueto RA are especially prevalent at Christmas, which should be one of thehappiest times of the year. The survey findings of 1,958 women with RA fromseven countries worldwide, suggest that 35% of women living with RA feel thedisease impacts on their enjoyment of family events during the festive season.
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The survey, sponsored by biopharmaceutical company UCB, highlights that23% of women living with RA find it always painful, more difficult or havestopped attending parties or celebrations due to their condition, and 44% ofwomen with moderate to severe RA report they don't enjoy family events suchas Christmas as much as they used to. Even amongst young women (25 - 35 yearolds), 28% feel their enjoyment of family events is restricted due to theirRA.
Personal relations are also impacted by RA with one third of womenbelieving the condition affects their closest relationships for the worse,and more than half feel that friends and family do not understand their pain.
"The holidays are an occasion to spend fun quality time with family andfriends, not a period for anxiety due to busy schedules, social gatherings,and the pain associated with over activity. However, for many women livingwith RA this isolation and pain is a common feeling," said Dr. Vibeke Strand,Adjunct Clinical Professor, Division of Immunology/Rheumatology of StanfordUniversity School of Medicine. "More often, many prefer to hide their degreeof pain and discomfort from family and friends to avoid hindering the festivecelebrations which can lead to a feeling of isolation."
Daily pain is an issue - 63% of respondents live with pain - this can beexacerbated by the dexterity needed for even the simplest of Christmas taskswhich is illuminated by the survey with 28% of moderate to severe RArespondents always experiencing pain, find it more difficult or have stoppedwriting cards altogether.
Shopping for gifts, preparing food, writing cards and wrapping presentsare the four festive activities that women living with RA find most difficultto do. Among these women, 28% experience pain and difficulty when shoppingfor gifts, or have stopped altogether, and more than a quarter report itpainful to prepare festive food.
"Nearly two thirds of women living with RA experience pain every daywhich can be more intense during busy times of the year, such as Christmasand this can seriously impact a patient's enjoyment of the festive season.Almost half of patients included in the survey are not talking to theirphysician about pain control options which is imperative to enable them totake control of their pain, especially around Christmas when pain can be aconsiderable issue. This will ensure that more patients achieve a pain free'good day' and ultimately improve their quality of life." Said Professor PaulEmery, Professor of Rheumatology, University of Leeds.
In light of these survey findings UCB has developed the "12 Tips ofChristmas" with tips on how to manage and enjoy the hectic holiday season.For further information and the "12 Tips of Christmas" please [email protected] for the full guide that details ways to embrace andenjoy the countdown to Christmas.
About the 'Good Days' Survey
The 'Good Days' Survey was conducted in August 2009 as part of a globalinitiative assessing the lifestyles of women with rheumatoid arthritis inseven major industrialized countries: Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Spain,the United Kingdom, and the United States. Objectives of the Survey includedidentification of the physical and emotional impact of RA on day-to-day livesof women living with the disease. A component of the Survey examined theaffects of the disease on people living with RA during the festive season.
Nearly 2,000 women aged between 25-65 years living with RA for six monthsor more were interviewed online about the impact of the disease on theirlives.
About Rheumatoid Arthritis
It is estimated that 5 million people suffer from RA globally. Prevalenceis not split evenly between genders, since women are three times more likelyto be affected than men. Although RA can affect people of all ages, the onsetof the disease usually occurs between 35-55 years of age.
RA symptoms often lead to restricted mobility and permanent damage anddisfigurement of the joints and bones. People living with RA are at a higherrisk of developing other conditions, including heart disease, stroke,depression, infections, lung problems and osteoporosis.
About UCB
UCB, Brussels, Belgium (http://www.ucb.com) is a biopharmaceuticalcompany dedicated to the research, development and commercialization ofinnovative medicines with a focus on the fields of central nervous system andimmunology disorders. Employing approximately 10,000 people in over 40countries, UCB generated revenue of EUR 3.6 billion in 2008. UCB is listed onEuronext Brussels (symbol: UCB).- A third of women living with rheumatoid arthritis say their disease impacts their enjoyment of the festive season - Women living with rheumatoid arthritis find shopping for gifts, preparing holiday food, writing cards and wrapping presents most difficult to do - Nearly two thirds of women living with rheumatoid arthritis experience pain daily
SOURCE UCB
