(Press-News.org) Rome, Italy, 12 June 2015: The results of a systematic review of published studies presented today at the European League Against Rheumatism Annual Congress (EULAR 2015) Press Conference showed that biologics improve both absenteeism (not showing up for work) and presenteeism (being at work but not functioning fully) in patients with chronic inflammatory arthritides. Rheumatic conditions are the most frequently cited reason for absence from work, and these findings suggest that biologics could significantly reduce the economic burden of these diseases.
Chronic inflammatory arthritides - such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), ankylosing spondylitis (AS), and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) - confer significant patient and economic burdens. As a result of their condition, one fifth of people with rheumatic conditions has been forced to change career, one third will have stopped working within two years of onset, and half will be unable to work within ten years.
"Within a few years of diagnosis, a significant proportion of those suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis and psoriatic arthritis are no longer able to work. This has major financial consequences for individuals and society, and is one of the reasons the indirect costs are higher for rheumatic disease than other diseases, " said study investigator Dr Cécile Gaujoux Viala, head of the Rheumatology Department of N?mes University Hospital, France. "Our systematic review demonstrates the beneficial effects of biologics on absenteeism and presenteeism, leading us to suggest that the high costs of these treatments could in fact be at least partly offset by the savings they deliver in indirect costs."
Fifteen randomised controlled trials and seven controlled cohorts reporting the effect of biological agents on work among 15,881 patients with RA, AS and PsA were identified and analysed. The outcomes were accumulated missed workdays, number of patients losing work time due to these conditions, impact on productivity, and employment loss, as compared with 9,713 patients receiving non-biologics.
Despite the heterogeneity of the data, the meta-analysis revealed that biologics significantly reduce accumulated missed workdays, the number of patients losing hours and improve work productivity.
INFORMATION:
Abstract Number: OP0148
NOTES TO EDITORS:
For further information on this study, or to request an interview with the study lead, please do not hesitate to contact the EULAR congress Press Office in Room 5B of Fiera Roma during EULAR 2015 or on:
Email: eularpressoffice@cohnwolfe.com
Onsite tel: +44 (0) 7738 890 799
Twitter: @EULAR_Press
Youtube: Eular Pressoffice
About EULAR
The European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) is an umbrella organisation which represents scientific societies, health professional associations and organisations for people with rheumatic diseases throughout Europe.
EULAR aims to promote, stimulate and support the research, prevention, and treatment of rheumatic diseases and the rehabilitation of those it affects.
With 45 scientific member societies, 35 People with Arthritis and Rheumatism in Europe (PARE) organisations, 19 health professionals associations and 21 corporate members, EULAR highlights the importance of combating rheumatic diseases through both medical means and patient care.
EULAR 2015 is set to be the biggest rheumatology event in Europe with around 14,000 scientists, physicians, allied health professionals and related audiences in attendance from more than 120 countries. Over the course of the congress there will be some 300 oral and just under 2,000 poster abstract presentations, more than 150 sessions, 400 lectures, 40 poster tours and 350 invited speakers
To find out more about the activities of EULAR, visit: http://www.eular.org
Rome, Italy, 12 June 2015: The results of a study presented today at the European League Against Rheumatism Annual Congress (EULAR 2015) Press Conference showed that people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are less likely to be protected by hepatitis B vaccination than the general population. Within the trial only 11% of those with the condition responded to the vaccine, compared with 83% of those without RA, suggesting that people with RA may still be at risk of infection in spite of vaccination.
"The majority of RA patients tested as part of our study were not protected ...
Rome, Italy, 12 June 2015: The results of a study presented today at the European League Against Rheumatism Annual Congress (EULAR 2015) showed that inspiratory muscle training (IMT) significantly improves lung strength and efficiency in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS), a condition often associated with breathing difficulties. These findings demonstrate that just eight weeks of IMT provide greater improvements in lung function than conventional treatment options.
AS is a painful and progressive form of arthritis caused by chronic inflammation of the joints ...
Rome, Italy, 12 June 2015: The results of a study presented today at the European League Against Rheumatism Annual Congress (EULAR 2015) demonstrated for the first time that treatment-naive patients with early Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) have myocardial and vascular abnormalities, even at the earliest stage of their disease. These findings suggest that patients may develop early cardiomyopathy (disease of the heart muscle), increasing their risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality from the time of their diagnosis. Cardiomyopathy is a serious condition and a leading ...
Rome, Italy, 12 June 2015: The results of a study presented today at the European League Against Rheumatism Annual Congress (EULAR 2015) identified that the cytokine (cell signalling protein) Interleukin-1β (IL-1β) is a crucial factor in the development of blood-induced cartilage damage. This finding opens up the possibility that a treatment targeting IL-1β could provide a new way to protect cartilage after a joint bleed, which in turn should significantly reduce subsequent disability.1
Exposure of joint cartilage to blood can occur after joint trauma, ...
Rome, Italy, 12 June 2015: Two new studies presented at the European League Against Rheumatism Annual Congress (EULAR 2015) have shown the importance of using ultrasound to identify those Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) patients in clinical remission who would benefit from more intensive treatment.
Many patients deemed to be in clinical remission still have active joint disease without any obvious symptoms or physical signs, but with risk of further progression of joint damage. Using ultrasound to predict the risk of flare and exacerbation of symptoms will allow these patients ...
Rome, Italy, 12 June 2015: The results of a study presented today at the European League Against Rheumatism Annual Congress (EULAR 2015) Press Conference showed that the chickenpox (varicella) vaccine can be effective and safe even in children with paediatric rheumatic disease receiving immunosuppression treatment. By using a checklist to pre-screen children, the investigators were able to identify diverse patient groups suitable for vaccination, protecting them from a potentially life-threatening infection.
Rheumatic diseases are autoimmune diseases, arising when the ...
Rome, Italy, 12 June 2015: Three new studies presented at the European League Against Rheumatism Annual Congress (EULAR 2015) have provided valuable guidance on measuring fatigue and optimising its treatment in Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) patients, and in patients with other rheumatic diseases. Fatigue remains a frequent and debilitating problem for patients with RA that needs to be addressed.
Findings from these studies show:
Chronic fatigue in RA patients has been identified as not being well managed by healthcare professionals, with 79% claiming their fatigue had ...
Rome, Italy, 12 June 2015: The results of a study presented today at the European League Against Rheumatism Annual Congress (EULAR 2015) Press Conference revealed that DNA methylation - a mechanism that regulates gene expression - could influence the progression of structural damage to the joints and spine in ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Study findings showed significant associations between a low methylation score and more radiographic progression (X-ray) of the disease, and implicated smoking in worsening of disease outcome.
DNA methylation is one of several epigenetic ...
Older patients with asthma are at increased risk for treatment failure, particularly those patients being treated with inhaled corticosteroids, according to a new study.
"Asthma morbidity and mortality are known to be increased in middle-aged and older patients, and gender may also affect the incidence and course of the disease, but the impact of age and gender on asthma treatment response is not well understood," said study author Michael E. Wechsler, MD, MMSc, professor of medicine and director of the Asthma Program at National Jewish Health in Denver. "In our study ...
The new threshold for diabetes in pregnancy recently introduced by the UK's National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) misses a significant number of women at risk of serious complications, a report published today in the Diabetologia (the journal of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes) shows.
A team of researchers from the University of Cambridge and Cambridge University Hospitals Foundation Trust have discovered that the proposed new NICE thresholds are less effective than international thresholds set by World Health Organization (WHO) at ...
