People with rheumatoid arthritis call for their right to live independent lives

BASEL, Switzerland — People living with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) from across the world have called for improved management and better understanding of the impact and burden of the condition, to allow them to live independent lives as equal members of society.

This call to action follows a series of meetings that brought together 29 RA groups from 25 countries, to discuss the many issues that a diagnosis of RA brings and its impact on the daily activities and future of people living with the condition.

As a result, the groups have together developed Rheumatoid Arthritis: Priorities for Change, which they believe will greatly improve the well-being of people affected by RA.

RA is a very complex condition, which not only affects joints but is also associated with worsening disability and a range of additional symptoms such as fatigue, heart disease and osteoporosis.

People with RA are not always aware of the full scope of their condition and can find it difficult to discuss the extent of their symptoms with health care professionals.

In addition, delays in diagnosis and access to appropriate treatments for people with RA are preventing effective management of the disease.

It is hoped that the priorities for change will help create a better understanding of RA among people living with the condition, health care professionals and government alike, in order to drive the changes needed to improve management and the lives of people living with RA.

Rheumatoid Arthritis: Priorities for Change is a unique call to action that focuses attention on the crucial barriers that are currently preventing the effective management of RA.

Between September 2009 and March this year, 29 RA patient groups from 25 countries convened to discuss the impact of RA, the challenges they face and the changes needed for people with RA to live independent lives as equal members of society.

Rheumatoid Arthritis: Priorities for Change focuses attention on the crucial areas that are barriers to achieving this goal.

RA groups from the following countries were involved in the development of the Rheumatoid Arthritis: Priorities for Change: Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Crete, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, France, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Lithuania, Mexico, New Zealand, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, and United Arab Emirates.

The work was supported through an unrestricted educational grant from Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd.