Social determinants of health (SDH) play a crucial role in impacting health outcomes in chronic diseases, including rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs). Recent research presented at the EULAR 2025 congress in Barcelona shed light on how factors such as socioeconomic status and educational background influence diseases like systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and inflammatory arthritis.
SLE is a complex autoimmune disease with varied clinical manifestations and significant morbidity and mortality. A study in Sweden involving 2,434 individuals newly diagnosed with SLE examined the relationship between SDH and key health outcomes, such as organ damage and mortality. Factors like earned income, education level, marital status, work ability, employment, and immigration status were analyzed. The findings revealed that lower income and education levels were associated with a higher risk of organ damage and mortality. Additionally, marital status and history of sick leave or disability were linked to adverse health outcomes in SLE patients.
Inflammatory arthritis, another group of RMDs, was also studied in relation to health literacy and social determinants of health. The research conducted in England on 995 participants highlighted the association between health literacy, clinical outcomes, and non-clinical outcomes in arthritis patients. Limited health literacy was linked to higher disease activity, anxiety, depression, joint pain, and stiffness. Different levels of health literacy were also associated with medication use, work status, and productivity.
These studies emphasize the importance of understanding how social determinants of health impact outcomes in RMDs. By identifying key factors that predict poor health outcomes, targeted interventions can be implemented to improve access to healthcare, enhance health literacy, and create support networks for better disease management. Ultimately, this knowledge can lead to improved health equity and better overall outcomes for individuals living with chronic rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases.
For more information:
– Gomez A, et al. Associations Between Social Determinants of Health and Outcomes in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Evidence from a European Nationwide Population-Based Cohort. Presented at EULAR 2025; OP0200. DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2025-eular.B2043.
– Dey M, et al. Health literacy associates with clinical, treatment and work status in people with inflammatory arthritis: Results from a national cohort. Presented at EULAR 2025; OP0026. DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2025-eular.B1218.
Provided by European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology
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Impact of education and social factors in rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (2025, June 12) retrieved 12 June 2025 from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-06-impact-social-factors-rheumatic-musculoskeletal.html
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