Mapping inequalities in rheumatology care in Europe: the first edition of the EULAR RheumaFacts project

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dc.contributor.authorMoltó, Annaen
dc.contributor.authorMiendrova, Anastasiiaen
dc.contributor.authorGossec, Laureen
dc.contributor.authorCarmona, Loretoen
dc.contributor.authorBillis, Konstantinosen
dc.contributor.authorSignorell, Coralieen
dc.contributor.authorSzekanecz, Zoltánen
dc.contributor.authorAlvaro-Gracia, Jose-Mariaen
dc.contributor.authorStrangfeld, Anjaen
dc.contributor.authorKloppenburg, Margreeten
dc.contributor.authorBrodin, Ninaen
dc.contributor.authorSwinnen, Thijs Willemen
dc.contributor.authorBöhm, Peteren
dc.contributor.authorCarvalho, Marianaen
dc.contributor.authorFoell, Dirken
dc.contributor.authorKollcaku, Arturen
dc.contributor.authorVardanyan, Valentinaen
dc.contributor.authorFritsch-Stork, Ruthen
dc.contributor.authorRemans, Philipen
dc.contributor.authorStoilov, Nikolayen
dc.contributor.authorAnić, Branimiren
dc.contributor.authorMalliotis, Nikolasen
dc.contributor.authorBubová, Kristýnaen
dc.contributor.authorMeisalu, Sandraen
dc.contributor.authorIsomäki, Piaen
dc.contributor.authorCallhoff, Johannaen
dc.contributor.authorTsutskiridze, Maiaen
dc.contributor.authorBalint, Peteren
dc.contributor.authorRyan, Johnen
dc.contributor.authorDruyan, Amiten
dc.contributor.authorConti, Fabrizioen
dc.contributor.authorZiade, Nellyen
dc.contributor.authorMiltiniene, Daliaen
dc.contributor.authorDeseatnicova, Elenaen
dc.contributor.authorBulatovic, Anaen
dc.contributor.authorvan Tubergen, Astriden
dc.contributor.authorKrstikj, Ljubinka Damjanovskaen
dc.contributor.authorBakland, Gunnsteinen
dc.contributor.authorKorkosz, Mariuszen
dc.contributor.authorPinto, Patriciaen
dc.contributor.authorRezus, Elenaen
dc.contributor.authorOstojic, Predragen
dc.contributor.authorTarabčáková, Lenkaen
dc.contributor.authorRotar, Zigaen
dc.contributor.authorPlasencia-Rodriguez, Chamaidaen
dc.contributor.authorEinarsson, Jon Thorkellen
dc.contributor.authorAeberli, Danielen
dc.contributor.authorBilgin, Emreen
dc.contributor.authorSunar, İsmihanen
dc.contributor.authorGarmish, Olenaen
dc.contributor.authorMacfarlane, Gary J.en
dc.contributor.authorRamiro, Sofiaen
dc.contributor.authorBoonen, Anneliesen
dc.date.accessioned2026-09-30T15:01:31Z
dc.date.available2026-09-30T15:01:31Z
dc.date.issued2026-06en
dc.description.abstractObjectives: To describe inequalities in health indicators relevant for quality of care to people with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs) across Europe by comparing RMD health system indicators across European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (EULAR) member countries. Methods: RheumaFacts is an EULAR initiative to improve the quality of care across Europe by monitoring access to and outcomes of care for people living with RMDs. In this study, we present the first edition of this longitudinal mixed-sources study initiated in 2024. A standardised form including indicators on RMD health resources and organisation, national workforce, and access to care was sent to the 40 National Scientific Rheumatology Societies who were EULAR members in 2024 was sent to the EULAR-member National Scientific Rheumatology Societies of 40 countries. Complementary data on the demographic and economic status of the various countries were extracted from open-source databases such as the WHO and World Bank datasets. Analyses were descriptive. Results: Standardised report forms were returned by 36 of 40 countries (90%). The density of rheumatologists ranged from 0.8 to 6.6 per 100,000 inhabitants (median, 2.9; IQR, 2.1-3.5) across the different countries. The reimbursement of nonpharmacological care on a chronic basis was limited: physiotherapy was reimbursed in 26 of 36 countries (72%), whereas psychological support was reimbursed in only 14 of 36 countries (39%). In 94% of the countries, all conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) were available. Despite all countries indicating the availability of at least 1 biologic DMARD, only 12 countries (34%) had access to all biologic DMARDs, and only 18 of 35 (51%) had access to all targeted synthetic DMARDs. Conclusions: Wide cross-national inequalities exist in workforce capacity and reimbursed care for people with RMDs. RheumaFacts delivers the first harmonised basis for monitoring these gaps, enabling EULAR and national societies to track progress and inform health policy makers to advocate for improving the quality of life of people with RMDs.en
dc.description.statusPeer revieweden
dc.description.versionPublished Versionen
dc.format.mimetypeapplication/pdfen
dc.identifier.articleidS0003496726003432en
dc.identifier.citationMoltó, Anna, Anastasiia Miendrova, Laure Gossec, et al. (2026) 'Mapping Inequalities in Rheumatology Care in Europe: The First Edition of the EULAR RheumaFacts Project.' Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases, (14pp), https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ard.2026.05.032.en
dc.identifier.doi10.1016/j.ard.2026.05.032en
dc.identifier.endpage14en
dc.identifier.issn0003-4967en
dc.identifier.journaltitleAnnals of the Rheumatic Diseasesen
dc.identifier.startpage1en
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/10468/19381
dc.language.isoenen
dc.publisherElsevier BVen
dc.rights© 2026, authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (EULAR). This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).en
dc.rights.urihttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/en
dc.subjectRheumatologyen
dc.subjectRheumatic and musculoskeletal diseasesen
dc.subjectAntirheumatic drugsen
dc.subject[Dental]en
dc.titleMapping inequalities in rheumatology care in Europe: the first edition of the EULAR RheumaFacts projecten
dc.typeArticle (peer-reviewed)en
dc.typejournal-articleen
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