NRAS asked YouGov to find out how much the public really know about Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

NRAS asked YouGov, a global public opinion and data company, to find out how much the public really know about Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA).

2,035 adults were surveyed, above are the results.

#AnyoneAnyAge #RAAW

[Kerensa21]

No surprises there and to be fair I knew nothing before diagnosis either. I think it’s the ‘arthritis’ word again: just one symptom but people do associate it solely with osteo.

It is important both for potential sufferers to recognise symptoms early and because various assessors for any benefits seem to have poor knowledge of it too.

The most hard hitting and succinct sum -ups for me were the short descriptions on the back of your little nras cards and the small poster that compared surprising numbers of sufferers to other diseases in UK in your awareness packs. I am very grateful to nras for trying to raise awareness and providing info.

[Hidden]

It doesn’t surprise me, Australia is much the same - RA=OA, and if you mention RA, one gets treated to mindless explanations of how bad their knees are, or whatever. I’ve given up, don’t discuss.

I do have to congratulate the UK and NRAS on the effort they put into RA Awareness and information provision. As an Australian, I would be lost without you, as we have very poor resources here and no online forum. This is mainly because Arthritis Australia get the funding, and with such a small population, the voices of those with RA don’t count. So, thank you for what you do

[rab1874]

Not surprised as I was oblivious to RA before it struck me 5 years ago

[Hidden]

As others have said, I knew very little about RA before my diagnosiss 30 years ago, even though my gran had it. Very little has changed, and I agree, it's the ARTHRITIS word that does it. If only we could rename it. I think we might be able to educate people better.

[Ruth12345]

I knew there were many types of arthritis but didnt realise any were life long disease

[Mmrr]

Yes, thankyou NRAS for all the support you provide for people with RD.

I too think the name rheumatoid arthritis is in part to blame for the confusion with OA, it's not surprising as people go to the word they think they know...arthritis....I much prefer rheumatoid disease as it helps avoid the confusion, but is also more meaningful, as we all know too well it is often not the the arthritis bit of RD that causes the most problems for people, but rather the systemic disease elements.

[DoricQuine55]

These are truly scary stats especially as early diagnosis considerably helps prognosis! If I had known more about RA years ago I would have pushed for further investigation into my sore hands and feet instead of being fobbed off with "it's just a bit of arthritis" and accepting it as part of the ageing process 😥