Arthritis Research Canada at
ACR Convergence 2024
November 19
The Forgotten Costs of SLE: Estimating Indirect Costs in a National SLE Cohort
This study looked at the hidden costs of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), especially the impact of lost work time in both paid jobs and unpaid tasks like caregiving. Researchers surveyed 1,804 patients, mostly women, and found that the total annual costs from lost productivity were quite high, and women lost more money from unpaid work compared to men. These results show that when considering the costs of SLE treatments, it’s important to include how much work people miss, especially since this disease mainly affects women.
Research Team: Clarke AE, St-Pierre Y, Barber M, Bernatsky S, Vinet E, Pineau C, Urowitz M, Gladman D, Peschken C, Hanly J, Legge A, Fortin PR.
Changes in Mortality Risk After Stopping Glucocorticosteroids – a Population-based Study in Rheumatoid Arthritis
Despite advances in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) therapy glucocorticoids are still commonly used and for long periods in some people. This study examined the effects of glucocorticosteroids on death from heart problems and infections in people with RA. Researchers followed more than 28,000 patients in British Columbia, and found that each year of glucocorticoids use increased the risk of dying from heart problems by 7.5% and from infections by 6.8%. Even after stopping them, the risk remained elevated for several years, especially for long-term users.
Research Team: Lacaille D, Danieli C, Moolooghy K, Abrahamowicz M.
