Impact of functional disability due to rheumatoid arthritis on the Latin American epidemiology, family and economy

Abstract

Rheumatoid arthritis RA) is a chronic autoimmune rheumatic disease that mainly affects the diarthrodial joints and can lead to a variable degree of functional disability. It has an approximate prevalence of 1%, but it varies from country to country and mainly affects the female sex. The methodology was carried out through a bibliographic review with the objective of analyzing the cross-cutting nature that exists between functional disability in patients with RA and its repercussion in the epidemiological, family and economic spheres, in the Latin American and Venezuelan context. It was observed that disability in rheumatoid arthritis generates important changes in the epidemiology of each region and nation, modifies family dynamics, affecting not only patient care but also the very structure of caregivers who must modify their daily activities and roles; and influences the family economy and the country, because the highest percentage of those affected is of productive age, and this results in rest and/or work incapacity, increased demand for health services and medicines, representing less power purchasing power and higher family spending and increase in the estimate of costs of a nation. In conclusion, functional disability in rheumatoid arthritis causes a significant impact on epidemiology, family and economy. Therefore, evaluations are required in health policies that can favor the affected population.