2023-12-12 11:03:48
The Austrian Society for Rheumatology and Rehabilitation recently presented the first Rheumatism Report at its annual congress. The report provides a comprehensive overview of the epidemiology and burden of rheumatic diseases in Austria, as well as the current treatment situation and future prospects.
Dr. Valerie Nell-Duxneuner, the medical director at the Hanusch Hospital of the Austrian Health Insurance Fund, played a key role in creating the report. She emphasized the importance of obtaining input from patient organizations to truly understand the impact of rheumatic diseases on individuals. According to the report, approximately 290,000 people in Austria are affected by inflammatory rheumatic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, spondyloarthritis, psoriasis-arthritis, and lupus erythematosus. In addition, the economic consequences of these diseases are significant, with around 9.5 million days of sick leave per year due to musculoskeletal issues.
While the burden of rheumatic diseases is substantial, the report also highlights the advancements in drug therapy. Inpatient hospital stays for rheumatic diseases have been declining over the past decade, indicating improved treatment options. However, the report also points out challenges in accessing care, such as long waiting times for appointments in health insurance practices. It was found that around 50% of patients have to wait 3-6 months for an appointment with a rheumatologist in health insurance practices, leading to increased pressure on hospital outpatient clinics.
The report also sheds light on disparities in rheumatological care across different regions of Austria. For example, some federal states have limited access to private sector rheumatological care, with Burgenland and Tyrol lacking such care altogether.
Overall, the Rheumatism Report provides valuable insights into the current landscape of rheumatological care in Austria, highlighting both the progress made in treatment options and the challenges that still need to be addressed to improve access to care for individuals with rheumatic diseases.]
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