D1 Evaluate the effect of corrective treatment(s) associated with
a musculoskeletal disorder
The impact of Rheumatoid arthritis on the health of a patient
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, debilitating disease that significantly impacts patients' quality
of life and socioeconomic productivity. On a personal level, RA has a significant socioeconomic
impact on patients' lives, being ranked among the highest of all chronic diseases for its effect on
health-related quality of life and limitations in physical function as well as increased pain and
fatigue affect patients' attendance at paid work, their work performance within and outside the
home and their participation in family, social and leisure activities. Additional paid or unpaid
support, as well as increased flexibility and job modifications from employers, are often required so
that patients can meet their role obligations. Disease-related reductions in work and household
productivity are not just due to the physical limitations posed by RA; mental/emotional limitations
also play a key role in reducing patients' and productivity. Newer, effective treatments, such as
tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors, improve the signs and symptoms of disease, inhibit
progression of joint damage and improve physical function. A recently available TNF inhibitor for
RA, certolizumab pegol, has been shown to increase productivity outside and within the home and
participation in family, social and
33
, leisure activities as well as rapidly improve physical function, fatigue and pain. Due to the
importance of these parameters to patients, new therapies are increasingly assessed based on their
ability to improve, productivity and participation. These extend the more traditional measures of
efficacy into outcomes that are more central to patients' daily lives.
Rheumatoid arthritis occurs because the body’s immune system causes inflammation to the tissue
that lines bone joints, resulting in loss of cartilage and damage to nearby bone which causes joint
stiffness and chronic pain.
Having a long-term, chronic pain condition like rheumatoid arthritis, can affect a person’s mental
health and emotional wellbeing, as well as their physical self.
How rheumatoid arthritis affects mobility
Rheumatoid arthritis may gradually lead to a loss of mobility, and many people find they need
daily living aids to help them get around and stay independent. Daily living aids are pieces of
equipment designed to make life easier for people who have ill health or a disability.
For example:
Walking Sticks - Everyone is familiar with walking sticks – they’re a common sight amongst older
people but, despite being common, they can be absolutely essential for many people who have
painful joints, or balance problems. There are lots of different types and you can choose from wood
or metal. You can also choose from different handle styles – this is ideal for people who may have
difficulty gripping due to arthritis.
The goals of rheumatoid arthritis treatment are to:
Stop inflammation or reduce it to the lowest possible level (put disease in remission).
Relieve symptoms.
Prevent joint and organ damage.
Improve function and overall well-being.
Reduce long-term complications.
To meet these goals, the doctor will follow these strategies:
Early, aggressive treatment – to reduce or stop inflammation as quickly as possible.
Targeting remission or another goal (treat-to-target) - work toward little or no signs
or symptoms of active inflammation
Tight control – keep inflammation at the lowest level possible
Common treatment:
Methotrexate is usually the first medicine given for rheumatoid arthritis, often with another DMARD
and a short course of steroids (corticosteroids) to relieve any pain. These may be combined with
biological treatments.
Common side effects of methotrexate include:
feeling sick
loss of appetite
a sore mouth
diarrhoea
34
a musculoskeletal disorder
The impact of Rheumatoid arthritis on the health of a patient
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, debilitating disease that significantly impacts patients' quality
of life and socioeconomic productivity. On a personal level, RA has a significant socioeconomic
impact on patients' lives, being ranked among the highest of all chronic diseases for its effect on
health-related quality of life and limitations in physical function as well as increased pain and
fatigue affect patients' attendance at paid work, their work performance within and outside the
home and their participation in family, social and leisure activities. Additional paid or unpaid
support, as well as increased flexibility and job modifications from employers, are often required so
that patients can meet their role obligations. Disease-related reductions in work and household
productivity are not just due to the physical limitations posed by RA; mental/emotional limitations
also play a key role in reducing patients' and productivity. Newer, effective treatments, such as
tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors, improve the signs and symptoms of disease, inhibit
progression of joint damage and improve physical function. A recently available TNF inhibitor for
RA, certolizumab pegol, has been shown to increase productivity outside and within the home and
participation in family, social and
33
, leisure activities as well as rapidly improve physical function, fatigue and pain. Due to the
importance of these parameters to patients, new therapies are increasingly assessed based on their
ability to improve, productivity and participation. These extend the more traditional measures of
efficacy into outcomes that are more central to patients' daily lives.
Rheumatoid arthritis occurs because the body’s immune system causes inflammation to the tissue
that lines bone joints, resulting in loss of cartilage and damage to nearby bone which causes joint
stiffness and chronic pain.
Having a long-term, chronic pain condition like rheumatoid arthritis, can affect a person’s mental
health and emotional wellbeing, as well as their physical self.
How rheumatoid arthritis affects mobility
Rheumatoid arthritis may gradually lead to a loss of mobility, and many people find they need
daily living aids to help them get around and stay independent. Daily living aids are pieces of
equipment designed to make life easier for people who have ill health or a disability.
For example:
Walking Sticks - Everyone is familiar with walking sticks – they’re a common sight amongst older
people but, despite being common, they can be absolutely essential for many people who have
painful joints, or balance problems. There are lots of different types and you can choose from wood
or metal. You can also choose from different handle styles – this is ideal for people who may have
difficulty gripping due to arthritis.
The goals of rheumatoid arthritis treatment are to:
Stop inflammation or reduce it to the lowest possible level (put disease in remission).
Relieve symptoms.
Prevent joint and organ damage.
Improve function and overall well-being.
Reduce long-term complications.
To meet these goals, the doctor will follow these strategies:
Early, aggressive treatment – to reduce or stop inflammation as quickly as possible.
Targeting remission or another goal (treat-to-target) - work toward little or no signs
or symptoms of active inflammation
Tight control – keep inflammation at the lowest level possible
Common treatment:
Methotrexate is usually the first medicine given for rheumatoid arthritis, often with another DMARD
and a short course of steroids (corticosteroids) to relieve any pain. These may be combined with
biological treatments.
Common side effects of methotrexate include:
feeling sick
loss of appetite
a sore mouth
diarrhoea
34
