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Where have all the patients gone? Profile of U.S. adults who report doctor-diagnosed arthritis but are not being treated
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12 2019
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Source: J Clin Rheumatol. 25(8):341-347
Details:
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Alternative Title:J Clin Rheumatol
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Personal Author:
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Description:Background:
Patients only benefit from clinical management of arthritis if they are under the care of a physician or other health professional.
Objectives:
We profiled adults who reported doctor-diagnosed arthritis who are not currently being treated for it to understand better who they are.
Methods:
Individuals with no current treatment (NCT) were identified by “no” to “Are you currently being treated by a doctor or other health professional for arthritis or joint symptoms?” Demographics, current symptoms, physical functioning, arthritis limitations and interference in life activities, and level of agreement with treatment and attitude statements were assessed in this cross-sectional, descriptive study of non-institutionalized U.S. adults ≥45 years with self-reported, doctor-diagnosed arthritis (n=1,793).
Results:
More than half of the study population, 52%, reported NCT (n=920). Of those with NCT, 27% reported fair/poor health, 40% reported being limited by their arthritis, 51% had daily arthritis pain, 59% reported ≥2 symptomatic joints, and 19% reported the lowest third of physical functioning. Despite no current treatment, 83% with NCT agreed or strongly agreed with the importance of seeing a doctor for diagnosis and treatment.
Conclusions:
Greater than half of those ≥45 years old with arthritis were not currently being treated for it, substantial proportions of whom experienced severe symptoms and poor physical function and may benefit from clinical management and guidance, complemented by community-delivered public health interventions (self-management education, physical activity). Further research to understand the reasons for NCT may identify promising intervention points to address missed treatment opportunities and improve quality-of-life and functioning.
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Pubmed ID:31764495
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Pubmed Central ID:PMC11131974
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Funding:
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Volume:25
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Issue:8
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