To evaluate the burdens of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA), focusing on quality of life (QOL).
A questionnaire survey was conducted with 3407 qualified doctors of Japan Rheumatism Foundation (response rate 20%). Subjects were asked to assume three patient groups characterized by treatment status (outpatient, inpatient with inactive treatment and inpatient with active treatment) and to answer the questions about (1) percent distributions of the groups a decade ago and today and (2) QOL, including physical functions, daily living activities and social activities, of each group.
More than 70% of patients with RA and OA were included in the outpatient group, who had problems in social activities rather than in physical functions and daily living activities. During the last decade, percentage of he outpatient group was increased, while those of the inpatient groups were decreased, and QOL of patients with RA and OA was improved. Compared with OA, RA showed lower percentages of the inpatient groups and greater losses in physical functions, daily living activities and social activities. Accordingly, the burden of RA was greater than that of OA.
In order to improve QOL and reduce the burden of RA, not only development of effective treatment but also assistance to social activities of the patients is required.