Barriers to Prevention of Premature Mortality in Rheumatoid Arthritis Among Low Socioeconomic Status Hispanics in the United States

Abstract

The public heath burden of autoimmune diseases is substantial, data from the last 15 years have demonstrated that when autoimmune diseases are considered as a group, they rank among the 10 leading causes of death among women under age 75 years. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune arthritic disease associated with progressive joint damage, diminished quality of life, disability, and premature mortality. The most commonly affected are women and more grave cross-sectional disability and worse functional outcomes are seen in Hispanic patients, especially those with low socioeconomic status. With Hispanics accounting for the most robustly expanding part of the United States population, what are barriers encountered by low socioeconomic status Hispanics in the United States diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis to preventative care and avoidance of premature mortality?