New Survey Findings Reveal Emotional and Physical Toll of Rheumatoid Arthritis and the Advancement of Treatment Through 'Ge...( Survey Results Capture Perspectiv...),Health

Survey Results Capture Perspectives of People Living with Rheumatoid Arthritis and Physicians Treating the Condition over a Span of 30 Years

HORSHAM, Pa., July 15 /PRNewswire/ -- Emotional and physical limitations are significant challenges cited by people diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), according to the results released today from two new, groundbreaking parallel surveys. According to the GeneRAtions(TM) surveys -- one of which includes feedback from more than 1,000 people living with RA and a second that polled more than 300 physicians specializing in the treatment of RA -- people with RA felt sad or depressed because of their disease an average of 25 days in three months and had difficulty with normal daily activities for 31 days in the same time period.(1) The surveys form the basis of a new disease awareness initiative, GeneRAtions, which is focused on increasing understanding of RA through the perspectives of varying "RA generations" -- people who have lived with or physicians who have treated RA for different lengths of time over a 30-year span.

"It's difficult to explain to people, even as a former Olympic athlete, why I sometimes struggle because of my RA. Many people don't understand how great the mental and physical challenges can be when living with this condition," said Joy Fawcett, Olympic gold medalist and retired member of the U.S. Women's Soccer Team, who has been living with RA for more than a decade, and is a spokesperson for the GeneRAtions program, developed by Centocor, Inc. "I'm fortunate that in the 10 years since my diagnosis, education and treatment for the disease have improved, but we need to continue this momentum."

The GeneRAtions surveys, conducted by Manhattan Research and supported by Centocor, Inc., are the first to provide new insights into the physical, emotional and social effects -- including the impact of RA on relationships, work, and overall daily living -- of a debilitating disease tha
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