POS1451-PARE RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS LANDSCAPE: VOICES OF THREE KEY STAKEHOLDERS (PATIENTS, CAREGIVERS, AND HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS)
Authors: V. Chaudhary
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2024)

<h3>Background:</h3> Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a complex autoimmune condition that significantly affects the lives of patients. Beyond the diverse physiological implications of the disease, the intricate psychosocial challenges affecting patients, patient caregivers, and healthcare professionals (HCPs) involved in their care make it crucial to delve into the multifaceted realm of RA. <h3>Objectives:</h3> A survey, "Rheumatoid Arthritis Stakeholder Perspectives Survey", was conducted with the primary objective of comprehensively exploring and elucidating the landscape of RA through the discerning perspectives of three key stakeholders: RA patients, patient caregivers, and HCPs. By analysing the insights of these pivotal stakeholders, we intend to present a holistic overview of the firsthand experiences, unmet needs, and perspectives shaping the arena of RA, which in turn can inform patient advocacy and, thus, management of the disease in a more nuanced and empathetic manner. <h3>Methods:</h3> An online anonymous but voluntary survey was conducted (20 December 2023-13 Jan 2024) via LinkedIn's RA medical and academic communities, patient volunteers from the myRA team, and social media channels. After seeking anonymous demographics, participants were prompted to identify their role within the RA healthcare landscape, choosing from options such as patient, caregiver, or HCP with a single categorical question. A curated set of approximately 15-20 questions followed, based on the selected option. The survey was anonymous, keeping ethical considerations in mind. <h3>Results:</h3> Respondents from the USA, UK, Europe, Asia, Brazil, and Canada (n=61) participated, ranging from less than 18 years to 65 years and older: 3.3% (&lt;18 years), 21.3% (18-34 years), 55.7% (35-64 years), and 19.7% (&gt;65 years). The survey was taken by 41% patients (25/61), 37.7% caregivers (23/61), and 21.3% HCPs (13/61). Among these respondents, 63.9% were females, and 21.3 % didn't have health insurance coverage. Patients reported noteworthy quality-of-life impacts due to their disease: 44% observed a moderate effect on their ability to perform daily activities, while 28% observed both significantly worsened sleep quality and constant fatigue. Socially, 56% attributed the negative impact of the disease on their relationships; however, 64% expressed unawareness about the emerging treatments of RA. Patients used the support of mindfulness with meditation (52%) and physical exercise (60%) to manage their stress; however, only 16% of the patients were involved in physical exercise or rehabilitation programs. On a scale of 1-10, 78% of caregivers rated the impact of caregiving on their overall quality-of-life as ≥5. HCPs prescribed various treatments to their patients (disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs: 69.2%; biologics: 15.4%; physiotherapy or steroids when necessary: 7.7% each), but simultaneously acknowledged the role of diet and lifestyle (53.8%) in the management of symptoms. Open-ended discussions with patients (46.2%) and accommodating open communication for cultural preferences (69.2%) were deemed important, whereas a psychological lack of understanding about importance of the treatment was confirmed as a significant challenge for patient compliance (92.3%). Patient education sessions helped 61.5% of HCPs involve patients in decision-making (61.5%), while 46.2% felt that patient support organizations played an essential role in managing the disease. Refer to the Figure 1 and Table 1 for a respective pictorial and quantitative overview of the three key stakeholders on a diverse set of survey questions. <h3>Conclusion:</h3> Understanding RA's psychosocial impact from the perspective of the three key stakeholders outlines remarkable prospects for physicians to augment patient care. This encompasses leveraging patient support organizations/online communities, promoting self-care, addressing mental health challenges, and discussing various treatment options with patients. <h3>REFERENCES:</h3> <b>NIL.</b> <h3>Acknowledgements:</h3> I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to all the voluntary respondents who took the survey. <h3>Disclosure of Interests:</h3> <b>None declared.</b>