Health Boards
Wed-12-10-2011, 17:25 PM
A new survey of 3,000 Canadians living with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), and ankylosing spondylitis (AS) reveals that Canadians feel that their inflammatory arthritis interferes with their overall happiness, and prevents them from enjoying many of their favourite activities.
The survey was conducted by Abbott to reveal the extent to which inflammatory arthritis affects the daily lives of people who live with these diseases. Arthritis and other rheumatic conditions currently affect nearly 4.5 million Canadians, with arthritis being among the top three most common chronic diseases in Canada.*
The economic burden of arthritis in Canada is estimated at $4.4 billion annually**. Among the survey respondents, 34% said that they have been living with their chronic illness for 20 or more years. Respondents indicated that their illness has affected their productivity level at work and home, with 48% stating that it prevents them from working full-time hours.
The study revealed some interesting facts about living with inflammatory arthritis:
73% said their chronic illness affected their day to day activities at home or at work.
42% of participants thought their chronic illness interfered with their hobbies or recreational activities.
67% of participants said they haven't been able to enjoy all the activities they used to do prior to the occurrence of their symptoms.
Women had a more negative outlook on their overall health than men with 42% of women stating they thought they were in good health compared to 44% of men.
48% said their chronic illness prevents them from working full-time hours.
Source: newswire.ca
The survey was conducted by Abbott to reveal the extent to which inflammatory arthritis affects the daily lives of people who live with these diseases. Arthritis and other rheumatic conditions currently affect nearly 4.5 million Canadians, with arthritis being among the top three most common chronic diseases in Canada.*
The economic burden of arthritis in Canada is estimated at $4.4 billion annually**. Among the survey respondents, 34% said that they have been living with their chronic illness for 20 or more years. Respondents indicated that their illness has affected their productivity level at work and home, with 48% stating that it prevents them from working full-time hours.
The study revealed some interesting facts about living with inflammatory arthritis:
73% said their chronic illness affected their day to day activities at home or at work.
42% of participants thought their chronic illness interfered with their hobbies or recreational activities.
67% of participants said they haven't been able to enjoy all the activities they used to do prior to the occurrence of their symptoms.
Women had a more negative outlook on their overall health than men with 42% of women stating they thought they were in good health compared to 44% of men.
48% said their chronic illness prevents them from working full-time hours.
Source: newswire.ca