EULAR announced that a small project group derived from the People with Arthritis/Rheumatism across Europe (PARE) network of organizations has been established with the aim of addressing challenges in health-care systems internationally. The new group—called IPARE—consists of representatives from South and Central America, North America, Africa, and Europe and is currently seeking a representative from Asia. In a new study—presented by Wiek at the EULAR 2023 Congress and simultaneously published in the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases—investigators from the IPARE project group identified challenges that may be contributing to international health-care disparities for patients with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases such as a lack of rheumatology practitioners (particularly pediatric rheumatologists), a shortage of allied health-care professionals, delayed diagnoses, limited access to recommended treatments, and low levels of public awareness for the diseases. They emphasized that there may not be enough rheumatologists for the number of patients living with the diseases, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. The investigators drafted a list of suggestions about how these disparities could be addressed along with how patient organizations can collaborate to address these challenges. They hope to continue meeting virtually every 6 to 8 weeks and conducting webinars every 2 to 3 months to share information and aid in eliminating health-care disparities for patients with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases.
June 23, 2023