title: [Resource utilization in a cohort of rheumatoid arthritis patients attended in rheumatology units in Spain].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine resource use over a 1-year period in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) attended in rheumatology units in hospitals within the Spanish public health system.
  
  
  METHODS
  An observational, longitudinal, prospective, multicenter, 1-year study was performed in randomly selected rheumatology units in hospitals of the Spanish public health system. Patients with RA were randomly selected in each hospital. Four visits (at baseline and every 4 months) were conducted by a rheumatologist not routinely involved in the care of the patient. Demographic and disease-related variables were collected. Patient diaries and systematic interviews were used to gather data on resource use.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 301 patients were included and 190 (83% females) completed the study. The mean age was 59 ± 13 years and the mean disease duration was 10 ± 10 years. The resources most heavily used were medical. All of the patients made medical visits with a median of four visits to rheumatologists (1-13). Ninetynine percent of the patients took at least one drug. The most frequent drugs were paracetamol (41%), deflaza-cort (32%), and methotrexate (24%). Laboratory tests were performed in all patients, and x-rays were performed in 59%. Sixty-one patients (32%) were hospitalized; 75% of these patients were non-surgical. The most frequently used non-medical direct resources were meals and home visits by non-medical staff (39%). Thirtyone patients (16%) had some type of work disability.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  AR is associated with substantial utilization of medical and non-medical resources related to the disease and work disability.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Reumatología. Hospital Universitario Virgen Macarena. Sevilla. España.
authors.forename: M D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Ruiz-Montesinos
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hernández-Cruz
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ariza-Ariza
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Carmona
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ballina
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Navarro-Sarabia