DELAY IN HELP SEEKING BY PATIENTS WITH RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS: DUE TO SELF-MANAGEMENT OF SYMPTOMS

Dr Arup Mahapatra; Dr Basanta Kumar Behera; Dr Bhaskar Thakur

Volume : IX, Issue : I, January - 2019

DELAY IN HELP SEEKING BY PATIENTS WITH RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS: DUE TO SELF-MANAGEMENT OF SYMPTOMS

Dr Arup Mahapatra, Dr Basanta Kumar Behera, Dr Bhaskar Thakur

Abstract :

Introduction: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic systemic autoimmune inflammatory disease that affects mainly the small joints of the hands and feet. RA is one of the most common inflammatory joint diseases and causes premature mortality, disability and compromised quality of life. RA is widely prevalent throughout the world. RA affects approximately 1% of the adult population in general, but this percentage increases with age. Women suffer three times more often than men in rheumatoid arthritis. The authors discuss one class of barriers in help seeking of RA which are due to Self–management of symptoms (patient would try self–managing the symptoms at first) before seeing the doctor. Aims & Objectives: The aims and objectives of the study are to identify the time interval between onset of symptom and presentation to a health care provider (rheumatologist) among early RA patients and to analyze delay in help seeking due to self–management of symptoms RA before seeing the doctor. Materials & Methods: The study tool consisted of a predesigned pretested questionnaire. Data collected were fed in Microsoft Excel and the analysis was carried out using standard statistical software Stata 15.1. Results : Majority of participants tried to self–manage symptoms by consulting with non–doctors, exercise, limiting movement, supporting joints and altering diets before consulting doctor. There was a significant association between consulting a pharmacist, altering diet and supporting his joints with splints/ tube–grip with treatment delay (p≤0.05). Conclusion: The RA patients may be educated not to self–manage symptoms of RA risking treatment outcome without occulting GP/rheumatologist.