Sooooo, it looks like we're doing well at getting things together for these girls who are attending the Summit. If there is anything we are missing, post it here. I also sent an e-mail to Christine of www.butyoudontlooksick.com she's such an advocate for the "invisible diseases" I thought maybe she would be willing to do an article on us, or at least ask her people for some advice, as I'm pretty sure they've been to things like this before. I'm so stoked. :) Everyone at work is amazed by us. Whheee!!!! So, what are we forgetting??
Here are a few topics (and a few links) for you.
Economic impact of RA (eg 14 billion in lost income due to RA in US each year)
John Hopkins
http://www.hopkins-arthritis.org/news-archive/2005/costs_ra. html
Statistics about how 5 yrs of RA affected people. Includes stats on wheelchair bound, loss of mobility, loss of employment etc.
National Library of Medicine
Research needed
Hormones-
Researchers are working to develop effective screening tests to identify people with the genetic predisposition for developing rheumatoid arthritis, and Wilson says hormonal manipulation may one day be an effective treatment for women found to be at increased rheumatoid arthritis risk. In the meantime, the finding gives new moms another good reason to choose breast over bottle.
Link:
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/11/04/health/webmd/main6 53734.shtml
Impacts of RA:
It is important to be aware of the serious and often devastating effects of rheumatoid arthritis, including the following:
Disability: Up to 85% of people with rheumatoid arthritis are unable to work by the 11th year after disease onset(2). Nearly 30% of these patients become disabled within the first three years after onset(2). Physicians are becoming more aggressive in treating rheumatoid arthritis, with the goal of slowing disease progression before disability occurs.
Premature death: The mortality rate for rheumatoid arthritis patients is twice the expected rate in the general population(3), and those with more severe rheumatoid arthritis are five times more likely to die within the next five years than are those with milder rheumatoid arthritis(4).
Direct medical costs: The direct medical costs of rheumatoid arthritis approach billion annually, with nearly 70% of these costs attributable to hospitalizations and home nursing care(5, 6). Rheumatoid arthritis patients make more than 9 million physician visits and account for over 250,000 hospitalizations annually(7). The direct cost to patients is considerable, even with insurance.
Productivity losses: Lost productivity costs due to rheumatoid arthritis approach billion annually, and rheumatoid arthritis patients lose, on average, 50% of potential earnings(8-10). The lifetime indirect costs of rheumatoid arthritis are similar to those for stroke or coronary artery disease(11). Increased absenteeism, disability, and early retirement all contribute to the loss of personal income resulting from rheumatoid arthritis.
Link:
http://www.remicade.com/global/hcp/hcp_RA.jsp
ok, ok. It is from a drug company, but they do list their references for the info.