About one out of every 100 Canadians, or an estimated 300,000, have rheumatoid arthritis (RA).1
RA is an inflammatory autoimmune disease that causes the immune system to mistakenly attack healthy tissues lining the joints, resulting in pain, stiffness and swelling.1 Early diagnosis and treatment is very important.1,2,3 While the disease can impact people of any age or gender,1,3,4 it most commonly develops in those between the ages of 40 and 60, and affects women 2-3 times more often than men.1,3,4
RA can have a devastating impact on daily life.3 People living with RA can experience difficulty accomplishing daily activities, as a result of inflammation, which over time, destroys joint tissues and makes it hard to walk and use their hands.5 What was once a basic everyday task, now becomes a painful challenge, mentally and physically.5 For that reason many people with RA feel depressed. It is not surprising, then, that the effects of RA are also felt within patients’ personal relationships with family and friends.5 It is important for people living with RA to have a strong support network to help successfully navigate the physical, emotional and social challenges associated with the disease.5
Goal setting is an important tool in the management of RA.6 Research has shown that many people living with RA benefit from a disease management approach that includes setting personal and lifestyle goals, as well as monitoring disease progression.6 When individuals are able to have open, honest, and constructive conversations with their physicians, particularly about their health and quality of life priorities, disease management can be even more successful.6
Pfizer Canada is committed to supporting Canadians living with RA. In collaboration with the broader arthritis community, over the years we have developed tools and initiatives to connect, inspire, educate and empower those diagnosed with RA to live their best lives:
Since 2019, Pfizer has been engaging with a community of RA advocates to form the Imagine RA network, helping to facilitate meaningful connections and spark thoughtful conversations on how to better support Canadians living with the condition.
We have also helped develop tools to facilitate more candid and open discussions between those living with RA and their physicians, fostering stronger relationships that are critical to quality care.
Over the years, we have supported numerous educational advocacy and fundraising efforts, including campaigns by The Arthritis Society, Arthritis Consumer Expert, and Arthritis Research Canada.
For patients with RA, it is crucial to have timely and affordable access to the medicines they are prescribed. Pfizer recognizes the challenges many governments and payers face with regard to healthcare system sustainability. With the goal of making personalized support easily accessible, Pfizer offers Patient Support Programs, serving as online resources for individuals seeking more information.
References
Rheumatoid Arthritis. The Arthritis Society. 2020. https://arthritis.ca/about-arthritis/arthritis-types-(a-z)/types/rheumatoid-arthritis.
Basic Facts. Pfizerflex. Pfizer Inc. 2020. Available at: https://www.xeljanz.ca/basic-facts
The Truth About Arthritis. The Arthritis Society. Available at: https://arthritis.ca/about-arthritis/what-is-arthritis/the-truth-about-arthritis
FDA Advisory Committee Briefing Document.
Rheumatoid Arthritis. Healthlink BC. Available at :https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/health-topics/hw86269#:~:text=The%20main%20symptoms%20of%20rheumatoid,%2C%20nerves%2C%20or%20blood%20vessels)
Patient Expectations and Perceptions of Goal-Setting Strategies for Disease Management in Rheumatoid Arthritis. The Journal of Rheumatology. 2015. Available at: https://www.jrheum.org/content/42/11/2046