Doctor Support Colleagues with Arthritis

Dubai People suffering with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) should be given support by their co-workers and employers, a UAE doctor has said.

“Rheumatoid arthritis is a disease that can impact an individual both professionally, physically, emotionally and even in his private life.

“When it comes to the workplace, patients with RA may face difficulties in performing their very best when experiencing extreme pain and discomfort as a result of the disease,” Dr Waleed Al Shehi, President of the Emirates Society for Rheumatology (ESR) and consultant rheumatologist at Al Qassimi Hospital and Sulaiman Al Habib medical centre said.

A certain level of productivity is expected of any employee. The ability to complete tasks and meet deadlines becomes more difficult with increasing disability.

Employees need to address the issue with their management in order to facilitate the most optimal working environment possible.

“It is not all doom and gloom for RA patients,” Al Shehi said. “The good news is that the disease can be treated effectively with medications that can improve the painful symptoms and inflammation, as well as offer an improved quality of life.”

Research has shown that the debilitating effects of RA has a major impact on the individual, with 65 per cent of people with RA having to give up work as a result of the condition.

Awareness and education about RA and its treatment can have a positive impact on the patient and reduce job loss.

RA is an incredibly painful disease and can cause severe disability. It mainly affects the joints but can impact other organs too.

Three out of four RA sufferers are diagnosed during their working age. It is therefore imperative that individuals and organisations are educated and aware of the signs and symptoms of RA to ensure early diagnosis, have access to the most appropriate treatments and ongoing care so that they are able to continue working. If diagnosed and treated early, disability can be prevented.

People who experience pain and fatigue during work are prone to having increased sick leave and overall dissatisfaction in their personal and public lives, impacting their relationships.

It is important for organizations and employers to acknowledge this and do their part in educating themselves and their employees on the symptoms as well as the RA treatments available to them. In order to continue working, patients should stringently continue the course of treatment.

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