Facts at a glance
Rheumatoid arthritis affects almost 500,000 Australians and is the second most common form of arthritis (after osteoarthritis).1
Rheumatoid arthritis affects both men and women, but women are more likely to develop it than men.
The peak age of onset of rheumatoid arthritis is 35-45 years - a time when people are most active in their workplace or taking care of their family.2
Major goals in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis are reducing pain, swelling, and fatigue, slowing the progression of the disease, and preventing joint damage.
An individual's treatment at any one point in time depends on how far the disease has progressed and what treatments he/she responds well to and can tolerate. Until recently, nearly 30% of people do not respond well to or cannot tolerate standard treatment for severe rheumatoid arthritis. 3,4 In patients who remain symptomatic, their doctor may consider different combinations or different treatments.
References:
1. Access Economics & Arthritis Australia January 2005. Arthritis – the bottom line. The economic impact of arthritis in Australia.
2. www.virtualrheumatologycentre.com/diseases.asp?did=503#Drugs.
Accessed on 20 June.
3
. Hyrich KL, Lunt M, Watson KD, et al. Outcomes after switching from one anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha agent to a second anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha agent in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: results from a large UK national cohort study. Arthritis & Rheumatism 2007; 56(1): 13-20
4. Smolen J S, Keystone E C, Emery P et al. Consensus statement on the use of rituximab in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Annals of the Rheumatic Disease 2007; 66(2): 143-50