In this issue
Listening to you Arthritis Consumer Experts (ACE)
JointHealth™ insight Published February 2005
This issue of JointHealth™ monthly highlights the results of ACE's survey on NSAID use in Canada. Also this issue highlights one more of the thousands of topics presented at the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) 2004 Annual Scientific Meeting. The topics covered in this issue are:
Education
The ACE 2005 Research-based Education Workshop Schedule
We are pleased to announce ACE's 2005 research-based education workshop schedule. This year's schedule includes:
Visit the ACE web site www.arthritisconsumerexperts.org to register now - workshops begin in April and will fill up quickly due to popular demand. If you prefer to register by phone, please call 1-866-974-1366.
***Please note the workshop locations will be announced in future issues of JointHealth™ and on the ACE website as they become available.***
Plan to Win with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) workshop
These workshops provide you with the critical information you need to know to take control of rheumatoid arthritis, one of the most common forms of inflammatory arthritis. Topics covered include:
(F) = workshops conducted in French
Plan to Win with Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) workshop - new
New for 2005, the Plan to Win with Ankylosing Spondylitis workshops will focus on ankylosing spondylitis, a common type of inflammatory arthritis, that commonly affects the spine and other large joints in the body.
(F) = workshops conducted in French
JointHealth™ workshops
JointHealth™ workshops will focus on two of the most common chronic diseases in Canada - osteoarthritis and osteoporosis. These diseases affect millions of Canadians making this a very popular workshop.
Taking an integrated approach to managing these two health challenges requires a whole-body perspective. More than ever, people need to develop a strong health care team to take advantage of all the opportunities to manage their health. These workshops will help you learn about prevention strategies and focus on what you can do to live well with osteoarthritis and osteoporosis.
(F) = workshops conducted in French
Research
Depression and rheumatoid arthritis
At the American College of Rheumatology Annual 2004 Scientific Meeting there was a presentation by Patricia P. Katz, PhD on Depression and Rheumatoid Arthritis: Function, Disability and Psychological Well-Being. This study is important because depression appears to be more prevalent among individuals with RA than among the general population.
Depression is something that is clinically diagnosed by a doctor. The main symptoms of depression are sad mood, loss of interest in activities, and physical changes such as loss of appetite, decrease in activity, weight loss or gain, sleep disturbances and agitation.
If depression is not diagnosed and properly treated it can result in death, an increase in illness and disease, and a decrease in one's quality of life.
Dr. Katz wanted to find out if there was a relationship between chronic diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and depression by looking at how people valued a wide-range of their activities.
Dr. Katz asked two questions. The first was, "How did people with rheumatoid arthritis value their life activities?" The results suggested there is a wide-range of life activities that individuals find meaningful and self-fulfilling. Examples include: socializing with friends, traveling, creative activities such as crafts, and recreational activities along with taking care of family, household maintenance, sleep and work.
The study showed that over a five year period there was a 10% loss of valued activities. The greatest losses were noted in work, nurturing, culture and leisure, volunteering and social participation.
The second question researchers looked at was, "What is the link between disability and depression in RA?" The study looked at whether depression was a result of difficulty with one's activities of daily living or, whether a loss of valued activities such as participation in social events, hobbies or leisure activities led to feelings of depression. The results suggest that:
For more information on rheumatoid arthritis and early diagnosis, click here to read the article: Rheumatoid arthritis should be considered a medical emergency. Also click here to read the September JointHealth article: Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis - The Earlier the Better.
Feedback
What is Important to Canadians with Arthritis Taking NSAIDS?
People with arthritis want to know about the medication they are taking, like NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). Over 100 people with arthritis responded to ACE's Consumer/Patient Survey on NSAID Use in Canada.
We would like to say thank you to everyone who participated in this survey. The survey was conducted, in English and French, through ACE's newsletter, Jointhealth™ monthly, both online and print versions.
ACE is happy to report the results were presented recently at the 3rd Canadian Consensus Conference on the use of NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) in Canada.
Prior to the ACE survey, no Canadian research, gathering the consumer perspective, had been done on what consumers think about the NSAIDs they take.
In the United States, two studies looked at the topic of NSAID use from the consumer perspective. One study, by Fraenkel et al (2004), looked at older adults and their use of anti-inflammatory drugs. In this study older adults chose safety over effectiveness. However, in a sample of 80 older adults, 90% did not know about the NSAID side effects of GI bleed/ulcer, or renal toxicity and 54% were unaware about the possibility of stomach upset or heartburn as an adverse effect.
Another study, recently presented at the American College of Rheumatology meeting, suggested that information exchanged between a doctor and his/her patient can be improved using patient-centered communication. For example, with NSAIDs, consumers would get to learn about this type of medication, ask questions and be apart of the decision-process in their treatment plan.
ACE's study looked at what is important to its community members who take NSAIDs. ACE was not only interested in what its community members thought about NSAIDs, but also, who the respondents were.
Who responded to the survey?
ACE asked respondents to rate the importance of effectiveness, side effects and medical coverage as these areas are the most commonly studied by researchers. The results showed that all three areas are important to the respondents:
To read more about new medications and arthritis click here.
Acknowledgement
Over the past 12 months, ACE received unrestricted grants-in-aid from: Abbott Laboratories Ltd., Amgen Canada / Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, Bristol-Myers Squibb Canada, GlaxoSmithKline, Hoffman-La Roche Canada Ltd., Merck Frosst Canada, Pfizer Canada and Schering-Plough Canada, UCB Pharma Canada Inc. ACE also receives unsolicited donations from its community members (people with arthritis) across Canada.
ACE thanks these private and public organizations and individuals.
This issue of JointHealth™ monthly highlights the results of ACE's survey on NSAID use in Canada. Also this issue highlights one more of the thousands of topics presented at the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) 2004 Annual Scientific Meeting. The topics covered in this issue are:
Education
The ACE 2005 Research-based Education Workshop Schedule
We are pleased to announce ACE's 2005 research-based education workshop schedule. This year's schedule includes:
- Plan to Win with Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Plan to Win with Ankylosing Spondylitis
- JointHealth™
Visit the ACE web site www.arthritisconsumerexperts.org to register now - workshops begin in April and will fill up quickly due to popular demand. If you prefer to register by phone, please call 1-866-974-1366.
***Please note the workshop locations will be announced in future issues of JointHealth™ and on the ACE website as they become available.***
Plan to Win with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) workshop
These workshops provide you with the critical information you need to know to take control of rheumatoid arthritis, one of the most common forms of inflammatory arthritis. Topics covered include:
- What rheumatoid arthritis is and about its effects
- Developing your own customized treatment plan (health care team, medications. exercises, work)
- Healthy living strategies
- Access to treatment and services in your community
- Latest arthritis research news
- "Question and Answer" session
|
Location Spring 2005 Saskatoon, SK Sherbrooke, QC Lethbridge, AB Abbottsford, BC Prince George, BC Kelowna, BC |
Month April 6 April 19 (F) May 4 May 10 May 18 May 19 |
|
|
Fall 2005 Charlottetown, PEI St. John, NB Halifax, NS Ottawa, ON Sudbury, ON Victoria, BC Trois-Rivières, QC Thunder Bay, ON Windsor, ON Yellowknife |
September 13 September 14 September 15 September 19 September 20 September 27 September 28 (F) October 13 October 27 TBA |
|
(F) = workshops conducted in French
Plan to Win with Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) workshop - new
New for 2005, the Plan to Win with Ankylosing Spondylitis workshops will focus on ankylosing spondylitis, a common type of inflammatory arthritis, that commonly affects the spine and other large joints in the body.
|
Location Spring 2005 Burnaby, BC Quebec City, QC Edmonton, AB |
Month April 20 May 19 (F) May 25 |
|
|
Fall 2005 Montreal, QC Toronto, ON Calgary, AB Winnipeg, MB St. John's, NF Hamilton, ON Regina, SK |
September 22 September 29 October 11 October 12 October 18 October 19 October 26 |
|
JointHealth™ workshops
JointHealth™ workshops will focus on two of the most common chronic diseases in Canada - osteoarthritis and osteoporosis. These diseases affect millions of Canadians making this a very popular workshop.
Taking an integrated approach to managing these two health challenges requires a whole-body perspective. More than ever, people need to develop a strong health care team to take advantage of all the opportunities to manage their health. These workshops will help you learn about prevention strategies and focus on what you can do to live well with osteoarthritis and osteoporosis.
|
Location Spring 2005 Nanaimo, BC Calgary, AB Montreal, QC |
Month April 21 May 3 May 10 (F) |
|
|
Fall 2005 Halifax, NS Coquitlam, BC |
September 17 October 6 |
|
Research
Depression and rheumatoid arthritis
At the American College of Rheumatology Annual 2004 Scientific Meeting there was a presentation by Patricia P. Katz, PhD on Depression and Rheumatoid Arthritis: Function, Disability and Psychological Well-Being. This study is important because depression appears to be more prevalent among individuals with RA than among the general population.
Depression is something that is clinically diagnosed by a doctor. The main symptoms of depression are sad mood, loss of interest in activities, and physical changes such as loss of appetite, decrease in activity, weight loss or gain, sleep disturbances and agitation.
If depression is not diagnosed and properly treated it can result in death, an increase in illness and disease, and a decrease in one's quality of life.
Dr. Katz wanted to find out if there was a relationship between chronic diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and depression by looking at how people valued a wide-range of their activities.
Dr. Katz asked two questions. The first was, "How did people with rheumatoid arthritis value their life activities?" The results suggested there is a wide-range of life activities that individuals find meaningful and self-fulfilling. Examples include: socializing with friends, traveling, creative activities such as crafts, and recreational activities along with taking care of family, household maintenance, sleep and work.
The study showed that over a five year period there was a 10% loss of valued activities. The greatest losses were noted in work, nurturing, culture and leisure, volunteering and social participation.
The second question researchers looked at was, "What is the link between disability and depression in RA?" The study looked at whether depression was a result of difficulty with one's activities of daily living or, whether a loss of valued activities such as participation in social events, hobbies or leisure activities led to feelings of depression. The results suggest that:
- a loss of valued life activities and not just difficulty with basic activities can lead to the development of depression
- the loss of some activities appears to be more important than others in the onset of depression. An example of three activities include: inability to participate in recreational activities, socializing and get around the community where one lives.
For more information on rheumatoid arthritis and early diagnosis, click here to read the article: Rheumatoid arthritis should be considered a medical emergency. Also click here to read the September JointHealth article: Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis - The Earlier the Better.
Feedback
What is Important to Canadians with Arthritis Taking NSAIDS?
People with arthritis want to know about the medication they are taking, like NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). Over 100 people with arthritis responded to ACE's Consumer/Patient Survey on NSAID Use in Canada.
We would like to say thank you to everyone who participated in this survey. The survey was conducted, in English and French, through ACE's newsletter, Jointhealth™ monthly, both online and print versions.
ACE is happy to report the results were presented recently at the 3rd Canadian Consensus Conference on the use of NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) in Canada.
Prior to the ACE survey, no Canadian research, gathering the consumer perspective, had been done on what consumers think about the NSAIDs they take.
In the United States, two studies looked at the topic of NSAID use from the consumer perspective. One study, by Fraenkel et al (2004), looked at older adults and their use of anti-inflammatory drugs. In this study older adults chose safety over effectiveness. However, in a sample of 80 older adults, 90% did not know about the NSAID side effects of GI bleed/ulcer, or renal toxicity and 54% were unaware about the possibility of stomach upset or heartburn as an adverse effect.
Another study, recently presented at the American College of Rheumatology meeting, suggested that information exchanged between a doctor and his/her patient can be improved using patient-centered communication. For example, with NSAIDs, consumers would get to learn about this type of medication, ask questions and be apart of the decision-process in their treatment plan.
ACE's study looked at what is important to its community members who take NSAIDs. ACE was not only interested in what its community members thought about NSAIDs, but also, who the respondents were.
Who responded to the survey?
- 68% reported having rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
- 81% were under the age of 65 years of age
- 81% were female
- 33% responded from Ontario, 30% from BC and 13% from Quebec
- 99% have been diagnosed by a doctor with arthritis.
- 84% of respondents are currently taking NSAIDs
- Overall 80% reported they had a great deal of say(41%) or some say(39%) in their prescribed medication
- 78% feel the NSAIDs they are taking are effective in controlling their arthritis
- 55% take non-selective NSAIDs ( like naproxen (Naprosyn®), diclofenac (Voltaren®), indomethacin (Indocin®), Arthrotec® and meloxicam (Mobicox®), among others)
- 45% take selective NSAIDs (like valdecoxib (Bextra®), celecoxib (Celebrex®), and rofecoxib (Vioxx® - prior to its removal from the market September 30, 2004)
- 75% knew the benefits and risks of taking NSAIDs. The majority received NSAID information from their doctor (41%) or the internet or arthritis groups (32%)
- Overall 87% of respondents reported either being very satisfied (32%) or satisfied (55%) with the information they received about NSAIDs.
ACE asked respondents to rate the importance of effectiveness, side effects and medical coverage as these areas are the most commonly studied by researchers. The results showed that all three areas are important to the respondents:
- Effectiveness: 100% of respondents report either very important(92%) or important(8%)
- Side Effects: 99% report either very important (68%) or important (31%)
- Medical Plan Coverage: 82% report either very important(45%) or important(37%)
- Accessibility of accurate information about arthritis and NSAIDs
- Effective patient-centered communication, especially for older adults
- Medical coverage is important which means that non-coverage unfairly penalizes people with arthritis.
To read more about new medications and arthritis click here.
Acknowledgement
Over the past 12 months, ACE received unrestricted grants-in-aid from: Abbott Laboratories Ltd., Amgen Canada / Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, Bristol-Myers Squibb Canada, GlaxoSmithKline, Hoffman-La Roche Canada Ltd., Merck Frosst Canada, Pfizer Canada and Schering-Plough Canada, UCB Pharma Canada Inc. ACE also receives unsolicited donations from its community members (people with arthritis) across Canada.
ACE thanks these private and public organizations and individuals.
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Arthritis Consumer Experts
ACE thanks Arthritis Research Canada (ARC) for its scientific review of ACE and JointHealth™ information and education programs.