To investigate resource consumption and quality of life (utility) in a sample of patients covering the full spectrum of the disease, modalities of patient management and geographic areas.

Information on demographics, disease parameters, work capacity and resource consumption (in the past 1, 3 or 12months depending on the resource) was collected in an anonymous mail survey from all members of a national patient association (ANDAR). Results are presented for the sample and by level of functional capacity, in €2005.

1487 patients were included in the analysis (response rate 49%). Mean age was 62.7years and 83.5% of respondents were female. Mean disease duration was 18years; mean HAQ was 1.42; fatigue and pain ranked 5.6 and 4.8 on a scale between 0 and 10, respectively. Of patients below 60years, 34% had taken early retirement due to RA, and only 15% of patients with a HAQ of 2 or higher were working. Productivity losses were estimated at €5076, of which indemnity payments covered €1944. Direct health care costs were €11,757 in the societal perspective and €9216 in the perspective of the national health insurance. Direct non-medical costs (including informal care) were €4857 and €136 respectively. Costs to society increased from €9400 in mild disease to €40,700 in severe disease, and to public payers from €6000 to €19,000. Utility decreased simultaneously from 0.80 to 0.06.

The study confirms overall findings in other studies in other countries, and provides the first estimate of all costs by disease severity in France.