Impact of natural disasters on the functional and health status of patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract

To examine the effects of natural disasters on rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients we conducted a questionnaire survey targeted to 1,477 members of a nationwide RA patient group in Japan who lived in the municipalities affected by natural disasters between 2004 and 2006. Functional statuses measured by the modified Health Assessment Questionnaire and self-rated health statuses before and after the events were retrospectively examined. The associations between the changes in functional and health status and socio-demographics, direct damage, and preparedness status were statistically analyzed. Of the 665 individuals who responded, the data on 192 women RA patients were analyzed. The values at 1 and 6 months post-event were the same, with 14% experiencing deteriorations of functional status, while 22% experienced a worsening of self-rated health status. Those in poorer functional status before the events were more likely to experience deteriorations of functional [odds ratio (OR) 4.4, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.5-13.6] and health (OR 2.8, 95% CI 1.2-6.7) status at both 1 month and 6 months (OR 3.9, 95% CI 1.3-12.0, and OR 2.8, 95% CI 1.2-6.7, respectively) after the events. Based on these results, we conclude that the functional and health status of women RA patients could worsen due to the consequences of a natural disaster, with a disproportionately large impact upon those with a poorer functional status.

Disparity in disaster preparedness among rheumatoid arthritis patients with various general health, functional, and disability conditions

“…The subjects were asked about disaster preparedness status at the time of survey as well as whether and how they were affected by the 16 DRA-applied events listed on the questionnaire. The details of the survey are explained elsewhere [6]. The study protocol and the questionnaire were reviewed and approved by the Institutional Review Board of Toyo University, which is responsible for the ethical standards of the institute.…”

“…Recent natural disasters have had a disproportionate negative effect on the medically vulnerable segment of the general population, including those with chronic diseases and physical disabilities [1][2][3][4][5][6]. Since both the number of people in these subgroups and the risk of natural disasters are increasing [7,8], the disaster preparedness of medically vulnerable populations must be addressed.…”

Disaster Preparedness Among Older Japanese Adults With Long-Term Care Needs and Their Family Caregivers

“…7 Chronic health conditions may also make older adults vulnerable after a disaster owing to a lack of medication or because of conditions that go untreated or are aggravated by either the evacuation process or the experience of personal loss resulting from the disaster. [6][7][8][9] Preparedness is the first step in ensuring the survival, independence, and health of those affected by disasters. 10,11 However, older people and those with chronic diseases are less likely than those without special needs to prepare for disasters or to have an evacuation plan.…”