Unmet demands for health care among patients with rheumatoid arthritis: Indications for underuse?

• Published in: Arthritis and rheumatism 2004-06, Vol.51 (3), p.440-446
• Main Authors: Jacobi, Catharina E., Rupp, Ines, Boshuizen, Hendriek C., Triemstra, Mattanja, Dinant, Huibert J., Van Den Bos, Geertrudis A. M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aged; Allied Health Personnel; Arthritis, Rheumatoid - therapy; Biological and medical sciences; Delivery of Health Care - utilization; Diseases of the osteoarticular system; Female; Health care use; Health Services - utilization; Health Services Needs and Demand; Home Care Services - utilization; Humans; Inflammatory joint diseases; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Orthopedics - methods; Psychological Techniques; Rheumatoid arthritis; Social Support; Underuse of health care; Unmet demands
• ISSN: 0004-3591; 0893-7524; 1529-0131; 1529-0123
• DOI: 10.1002/art.20391

Objective To assess the prevalence of unmet health care demands among rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients, and to determine if these unmet demands indicate underuse. Methods A total of 679 patients with RA participated in a questionnaire survey and clinical examination. Unmet health care demands and health care use were assessed for orthopedic care, allied health care, home care, and psychosocial care. Indications for underuse were determined by comparing health outcomes of patients with unmet health care demands and of health care users. Results Of the 679 patients, 28.7% had an unmet demand for 1 of the 4 services: 13.4% for allied health care, 9.7% for orthopedic care, 9.4% for home care, and 6.2% for psychosocial care. Underuse of allied health care, home care and psychosocial care was observed. Conclusion Unmet demands for health care are frequent among RA patients. Most unmet demands indicate underuse. Health care professionals should therefore be more responsive to the demands of patients.