Arthritis Action launches report on working aged people with arthritis
Arthritis Action has launched new research with YouGov to explore the experiences of people of working age in Great Britain who live with osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis. YouGov carried out an online survey of 2,120 people aged 25 to 65 living with the conditions, comparing the results to a similar survey conducted by YouGov (for Arthritis Action), in 2018 to see how their situations have changed since the pandemic.
The results gave a good picture of people’s concerns, the impact of arthritis on their daily lives, and how they felt they could be helped further by employers and support services.
Key findings from the research include:
- Almost nine in 10 people (86%) living with arthritis report that at least one self-management technique (e.g. exercise, healthy eating) has been useful in managing their condition
- One in two reported feeling that they were lacking information or support on long-term recommendations (49%) and advice on how to manage their arthritis (48%) during their arthritis diagnosis.
- Almost half (43%) of respondents said they did not feel very or at all supported by their medical teams during their arthritis diagnosis
- Those in lower socio-economic groups are more likely to rate their physical health as a result of their arthritis as ‘poor’ – 42% compared to 24% of those from higher socio-economic groups
- 84% of people surveyed for our latest YouGov research say that when their arthritis is at its worst, they struggle with at least one everyday activity, such as going up and down the stairs, getting around, and getting out of chairs
- More than four out of five people (81%) with arthritis use at least one self-management technique like exercise or eating healthily to help manage their arthritis and reduce painful symptoms
This research has provided the MSK sector with more insights and the resulting publicity has helped to place arthritis and MSK conditions in the spotlight. You can read the full report by visiting the Arthritis Action website.