Introduction

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease, with a tendency to result in progressive joint damage and systemic complications. Organ damage secondary to RA progression can lead to disability and premature death [1]. Epidemiological data are needed for health professionals and policy makers to ensure an appropriate health care system. The prevalence of RA varies between countries with a significant increase from southern to northern regions: 0.33% in Italy [2], 0.31% in France [3], 0.8% in Finland [4], and 0.85% in England [5]. It is proposed that the geographical variability is associated with the severity of the disease [6]. Other differences are observed based on ethnicity. For instance, no cases of RA were diagnosed in the rural Nigerian population [7], whereas Pima Indians from Arizona are known for an exceptionally high RA incidence rate [8].

A compelling observation is that overall RA prevalence has shown a declining tendency over the last few decades [9, 10], more visible in female disease distribution. Nevertheless, an increase of disease incidence due to ageing can be noted [11]. The incidence changes can be explained to an extent by different classification criteria over the years, when comparative studies were performed at different time points. The 1987 revised RA classification criteria caused a decrease of incidence by over 20% in the UK [5]. However, a systematic review based on the same criteria shows a surprisingly increasing RA prevalence in low- and middle-income countries [12].

While there are multiple studies in other European countries, we still lack nationwide epidemiological data in Poland. The health care system in our country is based on general practitioners (GPs), who are usually the first line physician the patients meet. Based on the symptoms and results of basic tests, patients are referred to a specialist when necessary. In Poland, it often takes a few months to be seen by a specialist. Meanwhile, according to guidelines, the treatment of RA should be initiated as soon as possible to achieve longstanding remission and reduce detrimental effects of the disease [13, 14]. Not only prevalence, but also the course of the disease has been reported to differ between the regions, with northern countries being associated with more severe disease [6, 15]. Different causes of this phenomenon are raised such as genetic variants of HLA-DRB1 [16, 17] or differences in socioeconomic status [18]. The mentioned data indicate substantial cross-population differences in the course of the disease and are not fully comparable to each other. That is why the RA prevalence data in Poland are so eagerly anticipated. Hence, it would be optimal to align the health system with real demands.

Our study consisted of two stages. The objective of the first was to obtain reliable data on the RA prevalence rate in Poland. The second stage consisted of the analysis of RA patients with regard to disease activity and type of treatment. This information provides insight into clinical characteristics and effectiveness of therapy. Recently published data indicate substantial differences between urban and rural areas in Poland, with a morbidity rate of 5–8 and 3.7–4 per 1000 inhabitants respectively [19]. The authors suggest that it may result from restricted access to rheumatologists and a higher proportion of undiagnosed patients. This underlines the need for reliable data to improve health care for RA patients in Poland.

Material and methods

Results

Characteristics of patients

The first stage of the study revealed that overall RA prevalence in Poland was 0.9% (95% CI: 0.6–1.2%), 1.06% for women and 0.74% for men. In the second stage, a total of 1957 patients with RA were analyzed, of whom 78% were female. The mean age was 56.77 ±13.9 (SD) years old. The mean disease duration was approximately 7 years, with 56% of patients diagnosed within the last 5 years, after the appearance of the new EULAR/ACR classification criteria. The ratio of economically active to inactive patients from the ages of 51–60 was almost 1 : 1; however, younger patients (< 50) remained professionally active in approximately 90% of cases. Moreover, with a disease duration over 5 years, the activity rates did not exceed 36% (Figure 1).

Figure 1

Economic activity of RA patients, by age (A) and disease duration (B)

Time from symptoms to diagnosis

The mean time from onset of symptoms to first medical contact was ca. 3.5 months. In Poland 71% of patients with RA were first seen by their GP, 13% by an internist, 10% by a rheumatologist, and the remainder by other specialists. Overall, 30% of patients were diagnosed within 3 months from symptom onset but for 17% it took over 1 year. The diagnosis of RA took approximately 9 months on average (Figure 2).

Figure 2

Time from beginning of symptoms to proper diagnosis

Discussion

This is the first cross-sectional, population-based epidemiological study regarding RA in the adult Polish population. The results demonstrate a high prevalence of RA. They fall within the upper bound estimates for Europe, but are double the values from model-based estimates calculated for Poland by Kobelt and Kasteng [20]. Thus, according to the south-north paradigm, Poland should be classified as a northern country. At the same time we should keep in mind that the observed differences are recently being questioned as statistically insignificant [21]. Second stage sex distribution of Polish RA patients is 3.5 : 1 (female: male), slightly higher than reported in other countries, though still consistent with other data from Poland [19] presented by Iltchev et al. That study compared RA prevalence in rural and urban areas in Poland but was based on information from the National Health Fund, included rheumatologist confirmed disease and did not include patients diagnosed in private medical practices. It showed an increasing morbidity rate of RA between 2008–2012 from 4.6 to 6 per 1000 inhabitants, which was in part explained by the new 2010 diagnostic criteria. In contrast, we based our results on a representative nation-wide group of people irrespective of the type of health care system the patient uses. Our results show even higher prevalence of 0.9%. It may be caused by an increasing burden of RA but also by underestimation of the previous study. Hence, because of the different methodology, comparing them in time and drawing conclusions about changes in disease prevalence in such short period should be undertaken with caution. As mentioned earlier, the decrease in prevalence of the disease, observed in the recent half century, can be partially attributed to implementation of the 1987 revised ACR criteria. However, a reverse trend can be observed with the appearance of the new 2010 ACR/EULAR criteria, which enable early-stage RA diagnosis. Nowadays, there are projections of an increase in RA prevalence [22], which can be linked to an increase in life expectancy. As a result, patients diagnosed years ago live longer and do not decrease the disease prevalence rate, while new cases occur as usual and increase the number of patients. Our study does not have sufficient statistical power to calculate prevalence in different age groups, which is restricted to registries. Although the age structure in our study shows that the majority of RA patients are in their sixties, they still fall within the younger percentiles for Europe [20]. Moreover, register data from Sweden, characterized by longevity, show that crude and age-adjusted prevalence rates do not differ considerably [23].

GPs fulfill the central role in the Polish healthcare system. According to our data, in 71% of cases they are the first medical contact of the patient after symptom onset. They order basic tests and refer the patient to a specialist, who in 90% of RA diagnoses is a rheumatologist. Insurance conditions in Poland limit the number of diagnostic procedures that can be conducted by a GP, of which anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies, other antibodies as well as imaging tests such as ultrasonography of joints, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging studies are restricted to specialists. After diagnosis, GPs mainly continue the treatment prescribed by a rheumatologist and deal with minor concerns (data not shown). Modification of chronic treatment is reserved for specialists.

Time is of uppermost importance; diagnosis of RA should be established quickly to implement effective treatment – not only to relieve the symptoms but especially to halt joint damage, which may occur as early as the first few months [24], as well as to slow down occurrence of RA complications [25]. We can obtain highly successful treatment of RA especially within 3 months of disease duration [26]. In our study, for nearly half of the patients, more than 2 months pass until the first contact with a physician occurs. Approximately 9 months pass on average before the RA diagnosis is established. In order to improve the situation, a change must occur in patient awareness of the importance of the first arthritic symptoms and the necessity for physician consultation as early as possible. Lag times differ from country to country. In Spain the first rheumatologist encounter occurs after 17 months from symptom onset [27]. In a Canadian study 22% of patients received DMARDs within 3 months and 48% within 6 months, which is less than in our study. However, the median lag time was shorter (6.4 months). It suggests a greater number of patients with very long lag times in our study. In other studies lag time delays were 4 months in Norway [28] and 9 months in the United States [29]. In contrast, in Venezuela the lag time between symptom onset and RA diagnosis was as long as 40 months [30]. The main cause of these differences mentioned by all authors is the number of and access to rheumatologists.

According to Kobelt’s et al. report [20], Poland is close to the European average regarding numbers of RA patients per rheumatologist. It should be noted that for Poland Kobelt’s et al. estimate was 0.49%, while our data indicate a nearly doubled RA prevalence rate of 0.9%. After this adjustment, with about 300 RA patients per rheumatologist, we have one of the lowest indices in Europe. Moreover, the prediction for the upcoming years is not favorable. In 2009, 30% of rheumatologists were over 60 years old [31]. Earlier retirement age may further increase the shortage of rheumatologists in the future.

The primary form of RA treatment rests upon conventional sDMARDs. The anchor drug in Poland is methotrexate, which is in accordance with current guidelines indicating it as the first line treatment. Other DMARDs are much less frequently used, with the exception of sulfasalazine, which was used at some point by 40% of patients. Non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs and glucocorticosteroids are very frequently used by RA patients. The COMORA study gave similar results, although high international variability was observed [32].

Most NSAIDs (excluding ibuprofen) are available in Poland mainly upon prescription, which prevents excessive and inappropriate use. These drug groups are considered symptomatic drugs and should only be used for a limited period of time. The goal is to control the disease through use of DMARDs, while chronic NSAID use may be regarded as treatment failure. Indeed, at the last visit over 60% of patients had high or intermediate disease activity in DAS28-ESR and did not fulfill disease control criteria. The results of our study suggest a necessity for optimizing the treatment strategy, with synthetic and biological DMARDs. Unfortunately, the use of biological agents in Poland is low (2.9%, of which 13% are in clinical trials), while in Sweden it applies to one fourth of RA patients [23]. Compared to other European countries, Poland has one of the lowest indices of biological treatment [20]. The main cause of this situation is too little funds allocated to this kind of treatment. Criteria which must be met to get expensive biological drugs refunded in Poland are restrictive and not all patients can be treated according to guidelines. For a certain group of patients, biologic treatment may be the only opportunity for improved disease control, reduced symptomatic drug use and a resulting improvement in quality of life and employment. The loss in economic activity is observed after 5 years of disease duration and in the sixth decade of life (Figure 1). For younger RA patients (< 50 years old) activity rates are comparable to the overall population based on data available from the Central Statistical Office and Eurostat, but in the sixth and seventh decades they are decreased, with the biggest fall concerning people in their fifties (sixth decade – 54.4% RA vs. 69.7%; seventh decade – 17.7% RA vs. 20.3%).

The strength of the first stage of the study lies in the methodological approach with a face-to-face interview, which allows for a more comprehensive interview of the patient (compared to telephone surveys), followed by a recorded confirmation of current drugs (including DMARDs) in use. Moreover, only respondents with a specialist-confirmed diagnosis of RA were considered in the data, rheumatologists constituting 98% of them – the resulting limitation being the 2% of patients for whom the diagnosis was made by a specialist other than a rheumatologist, with no secondary confirmation. An apparent limitation is the second part of the study, being a retrospective analysis. Furthermore, the changing classification criteria throughout patient observation impact the precision of results concerning diagnosis.

In conclusion, this is a unique epidemiological study in the Polish population, which demonstrates higher prevalence of RA in comparison to previously calculated estimates, and is therefore crucial for policymakers devising a healthcare system. Retrospective analysis indicates a necessity for earlier diagnosis and optimization of therapy accordingly, since the majority of patients still exhibit moderate to high disease activity. Achieving this requires constructive education of first contact physicians and patients in terms of symptom significance and disease characteristics, coinciding with an improvement of access to consultation with a rheumatologist.