Effect of social deprivation on disease severity and outcome in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
OBJECTIVE
Social deprivation is now recognised to have an important impact on morbidity and mortality. This study sought to ascertain the effect of deprivation, if any, on disease severity, functional disability, and outcome in rheumatoid patients in Glasgow.


METHODS
814 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were assessed for clinical, functional, and laboratory indices of disease activity. Deprivation categories for individual patients were determined using the Carstairs index. Five year follow up is available for 440 patients.


RESULTS
The study population of RA patients live largely in the most deprived areas. Patients from deprived areas have significantly poorer function at outset and at five years as defined by the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) score. This is not attributable to differences in disease duration in patients from the most deprived regions or compliance with treatment. Furthermore, these patients do not achieve over five years the initial functional level of those living in the most advantaged localities.


CONCLUSIONS
RA patients from deprived areas have poorer function, which is associated with greater need--medical, social, and paramedical. Strategies and resources for healthcare need to be adjusted according to this variation.
McEntegart
A
A
Centre for Rheumatic Disease, Glasgow Royal Infirmary.
Morrison
E
E
Capell
H A
HA
Duncan
M R
MR
Porter
D
D
Madhok
R
R
Thomson
E A
EA
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009017:Morbidity; D050607:Organogold Compounds; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012606:Scotland; D012918:Social Alienation; D012460:Sulfasalazine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D050607:Organogold Compounds; D012460:Sulfasalazine