Press Release date
Wednesday 21st May 2014
New Survey Shows:
- 70% of people with arthritis endure constant pain
- People in Scotland felt that care was improving
- People in Scotland felt that access to self management was improving
Impact: The Scottish Government has been right to prioritise self management within the Healthcare agenda
Survey from Arthritis Care explores the full impact of pain from arthritis
Wednesday 21st May 2014, Scotland: Arthritis Care Scotland today announces the results from Arthritis Nation 2014, a quantitative survey of 2,008 people, assessing the experience and real-life implications of pain due to all types of arthritis.
The pain endured by people with arthritis is a huge, ongoing and growing burden which impacts every aspect of the lives of people with arthritis. Furthermore, the burden of this pain increases in relation to how long each person has had arthritis and few treatments, with the exception of self management, help to assuage the onslaught of ongoing and persistent pain.
Results from this survey show that:
- 70% of people living with arthritis experience constant pain despite taking any relevant medication;
- 23% of people described their pain as ‘just bearable’ and remarked that this occasionally prevents everyday activities
- People in Scotland were most likely to be satisfied with the extent to which they had been able to access services to help them manage their arthritis pain(53 per cent), and those in Wales were least likely to be satisfied (39 per cent). This is unsurprising given that two-fifths (41 per cent) in Scotland reported that they had been given support or advice for pain self-management. This compares with 32 per cent in England and just 24 per cent in Wales. This variation again suggests differences in NHS practices or services between the three nations. These findings show that the Scottish Government has been right to prioritise self management within the health agenda.
Michael Matheson MSP, Minister for Public Health, said “The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that people in Scotland living with arthritis are able to access the best quality care and support possible, and for those services to be safe, effective and person-centred. We are committed to working with third sector organisations such as Arthritis Care Scotland to improve outcomes care for people with arthritis.
“We are delighted that the support given for self-management was evident in the survey findings, though keen to improve on the two-fifths of people able to find this support. Our on-going commitment to self-management and the self-management fund is increasingly enabling people to be in the driving seat of their care, supported by an enabling relationship with their health professionals. This is key to delivering the Government’s 2020 vision of people being able to live longer healthier lives at home or in a homely setting.”
Arthritis Care in Scotland has received funding from the Scottish Government and The Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland to enable them to deliver vital self management support for people living with arthritis and other long term conditions throughout Scotland. The YouGov survey results demonstrate how crucial it is for Arthritis Care in Scotland to continue to support people to access self management support.
The ALLIANCE Chief Executive Ian Welsh said:
"Self management is more important now than ever. As more of us live with long term conditions we need to have the skills and confidence to look after ourselves.
The Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland (the ALLIANCE) working closely with over 600 members, continues to drive this agenda, founded on the idea that people are experts in their own conditions, and that much of the preventative support that enables people to live fulfilling lives in good health, is located not in the statutory sector but in communities and peer networks, supported by the third sector.
The Self Management IMPACT Fund provides a huge boost to this type of support and the Scottish Government’s commitment to this funding, and it's role in delivering the 2020 Vision, signifies the value it places on asset- based, person- centred approaches. It is clear from the Arthritis Care Scotland survey and work that the Fund continues to support vital initiatives to take place, however it is also evident that more work needs to be supported to spread and develop a range of self management approaches in Scotland. We are delighted that the ALLIANCE will be working to share and encourage best practice in self management across Scotland though the newly formed Partnership and Practice Team, funded by the Scottish Government.”
Audrey Birt, Interim Director of Arthritis Care Scotland says “The results of the survey convey powerfully the importance of support and advice for self-management of arthritis. This data shows us that more people in Scotland are benefiting from self management and that is enabling them to be more confident managing their pain from arthritis. Although at 41% of people able to access this support there is clearly room for improvement, it also shows that the focus on self management in Scotland is making a difference for people in a very tangible way."
Says CEO of Arthritis Care, Judi Rhys, "The results of our Arthritis Nation survey highlight the importance of support and advice for self-management, with 78% of those receiving it saying that it was helpful. But only one third of people with arthritis are currently being offered this help. This is a situation we need to change, both for the sake of the millions of people currently enduring this pain and to alleviate the burden on society as a whole”.
"The shocking results of our Arthritis Nation survey make it clear just how many people with arthritis spend every day in unbearable pain.” said Jane Asher, President, Arthritis Care. "The outstanding work of our charity, which currently leads the way in delivering the only effective means of managing the pain of arthritis, is needed more than ever. But we can't reach those in pain without support: I do hope your readers can help us by sending just £3: text EXPC14 to 70070."
Note: Case Studies from young women in their twenties who live with arthritis and have benefitted from Arthritis Care Scotland’s self management programmes are available on request.
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About Arthritis Nation 2014
Arthritis affects an estimated 10 million people in the UK, with the most common type, osteoarthritis (OA), and affecting approximately 8.5 million people. Arthritis Care, the voice of those with the condition, first commissioned YouGov in 2012 to investigate more about how osteoarthritis affects the lives of those who suffer from it.
This follow-up study revisits some of the key areas covered in the OANation2012 report, to explore any changes in the experiences of people with osteoarthritis since then. Additionally, the 2014 study also included people with other types of arthritis, in addition to osteoarthritis, with the purpose of investigating differences between those with different types of arthritis, and of exploring the experiences of people with arthritis in general.
Methodology
A quantitative survey of 2,008 people diagnosed with arthritis, including a sub-set of 1,364 with osteoarthritis, was conducted using YouGov’s panel of over 390,000 adults in the UK. Fieldwork was undertaken online between 24th and 31st March 2014.
Sample for the survey was selected to be representative of those with (any type of) arthritis. To do this, information was sourced on the approximate incidence of different types of arthritis in the overall population, and data were subsequently weighted to reflect these proportions.
About arthritis
There are around 10 million people in the UK with arthritis, a chronic condition caused by inflammation of one or more joints, resulting in pain, stiffness, discomfort and fatigue. Pain from arthritis can take many forms to include persistent pain, sharp stabbing pains or a mixture of aches and pains. These symptoms can lead to a loss of strength and grip, making it harder to move around and carry out the simplest of daily tasks. This results in a significant loss of autonomy and quality of life.
About Arthritis Care and Arthritis Care Scotland
Arthritis Care is the leading UK patient support charity for people with all types of arthritis by providing people with the confidence and skills to manage their arthritis and dramatically improve their quality of life. Arthritis Care Scotland is a devolved part of Arthritis Care. The charity provides information and support through its free and confidential helpline on 0808 800 4050 and through publications and information through its website
For further information please contact
Melanie McLean
Events & Communications Manager for Scotland
T: 07881 295550
Email:
Audrey Birt
Interim Scotland Director
Email: