AB1341 PUBLIC AWARENESS OF RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS IN MONGOLIA
Authors: Lkham-Erdene Byambadoo, Nandin-Erdene Danzan, Tsolmon Darisuren, Devshil Zorigt, Enkhjin Bat-Erdene, Davaadulam Enkhbold, Zulgerel Dandii
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2019)

<h3>Background:</h3> Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is multifactorial, chronic, inflammatory disease which in the absence of early diagnosis can lead to joint destruction and disability. In the last decade, rheumatology has been developed as independent branch in Internal medicine in Mongolia, published rheumatological textbooks. The Mongolian Rheumatology Association has also introduced a RA guideline and conducted training that has led to the use of DMARDs in treatment and improves patient's quality of life is improving in Mongolia. Nevertheless, we have many patients with a late RA diagnosis in Mongolia. In some studies, poor public awareness of RA correlates with high level of disability. <h3>Objectives:</h3> To develop understanding about current levels of public awareness of rheumatoid arthritis in patients coming to the outpatient department of the First central hospital in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia <h3>Methods:</h3> This was a cross-sectional descriptive study conducted in the outpatient department of the First central hospital of Ulaanbaatar in Mongolia for 3 days. The study population consisted of adults. Data collection was performed by using questionnaire of developed by the NRAS, addressed to assess awareness on RA. <h3>Results:</h3> Total 376 persons stood for 3 days in outpatient clinic in First central hospital. 26 of them refused and 350 of them participated our study. The average age of the participants was 37.79. Participants responded, 22% of them know RA, 78% of whom do not know rheumatoid arthritis. Understanding about the disease symptoms: 50,5% respondent answered they to do not know RA symptoms; 29% correctly identified joint swelling; 17.4% correctly identified morning stiffness; 12.6% correctly recognized extreme fatigue as a symptom; and only 6.5% correctly identified that crunching and grinding of the joints is not a symptom. Understanding about disease risk factors: 49.4% of participants responded they do not know the risk factor for RA, only 7% correctly identified genetics as a factor; 17% knew that women are more vulnerable than men; only 3% correctly stated that smoking can increase the risk of developing RA; and 34% stated that undertaking exercise and obesity is also a risk factor and 23% identified sore throat can increase RA. Understanding about disease impacts: 21.1% correctly recognized that RA affects a person's ability to walk short distances; 55% did not know how RA affects person`s quality of life, 40.3% correctly stated that RA affects a person's life expectancy; but only 11% knew that the disease affects the internal organs. In total, 12% of respondents saw information about the RA and 82% said public RA awareness needs to be improved. <h3>Conclusion:</h3> In Mongolia, public awareness of rheumatoid arthritis was poor. Most of the participants responded to do not know. Other participants who have not responded to do not know that most of them misidentified disease symptoms, risk factors and impacts. The only good thing was most of the participants thought awareness of RA improvement certainly. A good awareness of RA can be one of the basic solutions for the early diagnosis of RA in Mongolia. <h3>Disclosure of Interests:</h3> None declared