Singapore Chapter of Rheumatologists Consensus Statement on the Eligibility for Government Subsidy of Biologic Disease Modifying Antirheumatic Agents for Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

摘要

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease affecting 0.3% to 0.8% of the population worldwide, and is the most common inflammatory arthritis in Singapore. Suboptimally treated RA may result in irreversible joint damage,serious extra-articular manifestations, and comorbidities including osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease, with substantial adverse impact on patients' health status, health-related quality of life, employment and financial status.Evidence, both locally and from other parts of Asia highlight the substantial disease burden of RA.