BASINGSTOKE, England,
June 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --
Through interactive data
visualization, RA Matters allows the RA community to see and
compare the results of the survey in real
time: http://ramatters.eu/
Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) today announced the results of
the RA Matters survey. The results showed regardless of
characteristic or country, that the understanding of rheumatoid
arthritis (RA), its symptoms and how RA makes people feel, has a
large impact on people's lives.
The RA Matters survey uncovered that despite major
advances in the treatment of RA, physical symptoms such as fatigue
(43%) and pain (39%), continue to be the biggest barriers for
people with RA in the workplace.[1] Difficulty using
their hands was the biggest challenge to people carrying out work.
Daily activities are also impacted by the disease, with more than
60 percent[1] of people with RA
finding it significantly hinders their ability to exercise and 23
percent[1] of people with RA
reporting that they have problems with daily routines such as
washing and personal care. Despite much progress in addressing the
physical burden of RA, many people feel RA hinders their ambitions
for the future. Over 50 percent of the respondents with RA hope for
a better understanding from others of the physical impact that RA
has on their lives.[1]
"The RA Matters survey shone a light on people living
with RA and shows how our understanding of RA and how it makes
people feel remains a major barrier to improving the lives of those
living with this disease," said Roberto
Servi, Senior Director & International Therapeutic Area
Leader - Europe at Eli Lilly and
Company. "The hope is that RA Matters will add crucial
patient perspectives and mark a step change in engaging people with
RA about what matters most to them in their daily lives. We hope
these survey findings will contribute to ensuring the standard of
care for this community is improved further."
"RA can often be unpredictable. Some people experience long
periods of disease inactivity then flare unexpectedly, whilst
others have highly active disease with symptoms on a daily basis
lasting for months at a time. These fluctuations can often lead to
feelings of distress, lack of control, isolation and may limit
people's hopes for the future," said Clare
Jacklin, Director of External Affairs, NRAS, UK. "The RA
Matters survey has provided a platform for people living with RA to
voice what really matters to them. Life with RA should not be a
compromise. It should be about taking control of this debilitating
disease and not having your life defined by it."
People living with RA also bear an emotional burden that can
make them compromise on some of the most fundamental aspects of
life. The RA Matters survey revealed that the level of
understanding and empathy from those around them can also have an
effect on people's behaviours and emotions, with 44 percent of
people with RA reporting a negative impact on their relationship
with their spouse or partner.[1] A
lack of understanding from colleagues about the physical and
emotional burden of RA was reported as a major professional
barrier, with 43 percent of people with RA reporting that they felt
their jobs were not flexible enough for their
circumstances.[1]
"The RA Matters survey demonstrates the true physical and
emotional burden of life with RA and can help us to identify the
most important personal goals for individuals with the disease,"
said Prof. Dr. med. Rieke Alten,
Head of Department of Internal Medicine II - Rheumatology,
Schlosspark-Klinik Berlin(Germany). "More must be done to ensure
relevant treatment and management decisions also include what
matters most to those with RA. Only by better identifying and
integrating such perspectives, can we hope to improve RA outcomes
further."
RA is a systemic autoimmune disease[2] affecting more
than 23 million people worldwide.[3] In many countries,
people with RA have a high prevalence of
co-morbidities[4] and it is well established that RA
negatively affects health-related quality of life.[5]
The RA Matters survey was developed with the support of RA
patient groups, advocates and physicians from across Europe and Canada. 6,208 participants took part across
eight countries, including 5,400 people living with RA and 808
healthcare professionals (rheumatologists, physicians and nurses),
revealing what matters most to them in terms of activities, work,
personal relationships and aspirations.
About Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease characterised by
inflammation and progressive destruction of joints.[6]
More than 23 million people worldwide suffer from
RA.[3] Approximately three times
as many women as men have the disease.[7]
About RA Matters
6,208 people participated in the RA Matters survey, of
which 5,400 were people who had been diagnosed with RA, and 808
were rheumatologists or healthcare professionals (HCPs) that treat
RA. The survey was carried out between November 4, 2016 and February 13, 2017, from eight participating
countries (Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden
and the United Kingdom). The RA
Matters survey set out to fill a gap in the existing RA
evidence base. The over-arching objective of the survey was to
demonstrate the real unmet need in RA. Specifically the survey
explored the outcomes and quality of life related areas that are
most important, relevant and impactful of patients' lives.
Using an innovative visual data collection method on a live web
platform, the RA Matters survey allowed people to see and
compare their results in real time - helping us to bring important
RA stories to life. For more information on the RA Matters
survey and to explore the findings, please visit
http://ramatters.eu/; http://ramatters.ca].
The RA Matters survey was supported and/or informed by
the following individuals and organisations:
- Arthritis Consumer Experts (Canada)
- The Arthritis Society, Canada
(Canada)
- Canadian Arthritis Patient Alliance (Canada)
- AFPric (France)
- ANDAR (France)
- ANMAR (Italy)
- ConArtritis (Spain)
- Sociedad Española de Reumatología (Spain)
- National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society (UK)
About Eli Lilly and Company
Lilly is a global healthcare leader that unites caring with
discovery to make life better for people around the world. We were
founded more than a century ago by a man committed to creating
high-quality medicines that meet real needs, and today we remain
true to that mission in all our work. Across the globe, Lilly
employees work to discover and bring life-changing medicines to
those who need them, improve the understanding and management of
disease, and give back to communities through philanthropy and
volunteerism. To learn more about Lilly, please visit us at
http://www.lilly.co.uk.
(P-LLY)
This press release contains forward-looking statements (as
that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform
Act of 1995) about Lilly's product pipeline and
reflects Lilly's current beliefs. However, there are
substantial risks and uncertainties in the process of
pharmaceutical research, development, and commercialization. For
further discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties, see
Lilly's most recent 10-K and 10-Q filings with the
United States Securities and Exchange Commission. Except as may be
required by law, Lilly undertakes no duty to update forward-looking
statements for events occurring after the date of this
release.
References
1. Data on File RA Matters questionnaire REF 31954, REF 31955,
REF 31956 2017
2. American College of Rheumatology, Rheumatoid Arthritis,
http://www.rheumatology.org/practice/clinical/patients/diseases_and_conditions/ra.asp
(Accessed: May 4, 2017)
3. World Health Organisation (WHO). The Global Burden of Disease
Report, (table 7, page 32) 2004,
http://www.who.int/healthinfo/global_burden_disease/GBD_report_2004update_full.pdf (Accessed:
May 4, 2017)
4. Dougados M, Soubrier M, Antunez A. et al. Prevalence of
comorbidities in rheumatoid arthritis and evaluation of their
monitoring: results of an international, cross-sectional study
(COMORA). Ann Rheum Dis. 2014; 73: 62 - 68
5. Strand V et al. Patient Expectations and Perceptions of
Goal-setting Strategies for Disease Management in Rheumatoid
Arthritis. J Rheumatol 2015;42;2046-2054.
http://www.jrheum.org/content/42/11/2046
6. Kahlenberg J and Fox D. Advances in the Medical
Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis. Hand Clinics 2011 February ;
27(1): 11-20.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3135413/pdf/nihms305780.pdf
(Accessed: May 4, 2017)
7. Arthritis Foundation. What is Rheumatoid Arthritis?
http://www.arthritis.org/about-arthritis/types/rheumatoid-arthritis/what-is-rheumatoid-arthritis.php
(Accessed: May 4, 2017)