Many patients with OA perceive barriers to treatment

SEATTLE — Results of a poll on the Arthritis Society of Canada’s website showed many patients with osteoarthritis reported barriers to obtaining treatment, such as lacking health care coverage of certain costs and the perception that little efficacious care was available to them, according to data presented here.

The poll was commissioned to collect data about patient perceptions. Respondents were asked about their diagnosis; barriers and challenges to obtaining appropriate health care; preferences about physician involvement; and impact of the disease, including pain, fatigue and disability with social roles and activities.

Among the 1,715 individuals who responded, 922 reported osteoarthritis (OA) and 588 reported OA exclusively as a diagnosed disease. Eighty-two percent of the respondents were women.

Participants reported mean pain intensity of 5.9 on a scale of 1 to 10, and 70% reported experiencing pain at least one time each week.

Of 13 joints, the mean number of affected joints was 3.8, but 44% reported that they were not receiving medication. Moderate impact on daily activities was reported, and a range of scores from 2.3 to 3 on a scale of 1 to 5 related to social and family activities, according to the researchers. Exercise and intimate relationships had the highest response, with scores of 3.3 and 4.4, respectively.

Survey participants placed high importance on controlling pain, mobility, stiffness, fatigue, strength and energy levels, and participants also reported difficulty with sleeping.

Challenges to obtaining treatment were reported by 75% of respondents, including lack of affordable care, long appointment waiting times or the belief that treatments were unavailable.

High importance was placed on consulting with a physician regarding decisions about medication and treatment, but not with decisions about diet and exercise or over-the-counter medication, according to the researchers.

The researchers concluded patients are in need of better information to educate them on their options for controlling the illness and on interventions to minimize barriers to appropriate treatments. - by Shirley Pulawski

Reference:

Badley EM, et al. Paper #41. Presented at: Osteoarthritis Research Society International World Congress on Osteoarthritis. April 30-May 3, 2015; Seattle.

Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.