Financial Distress and Its Determinants in Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors' conclusion
Financial distress is prevalent in adults with RA and appears to be greatest in those with comorbidities, specifically depression, identifying a potential area for intervention.
Study context
- Population
- Adults in the FORWARD databank with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or noninflammatory musculoskeletal disease (NIMSKD) completing the FACIT-COST questionnaire
- Participants
- 2,277 vs 1,340
- Exposure
- RA vs noninflammatory musculoskeletal disease
- RAn = 2,277
- NIMSKDn = 1,340reference
- Outcome
- Financial distress by FACIT-COST, continuous (higher score = less distress) and binary (threshold <26)
Methodological detailsLeast Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO)-selected covariates, multivariable linear and logistic regression
- LASSO-selected covariates
- Multivariable linear and logistic regression
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
FACIT-COST score (higher = less financial distress)
RA
30.2
mean · SD 9.4
NIMSKD
34.0
mean · SD 8.4
Unadjusted P < 0.001
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Financial distress (FACIT-COST <26)
unadjusted P < 0.001
Determinants of financial distress in RA (multivariable)
- Depression, aOR
- 1.12 (95% CI 1.09-1.16)
- Disease severity identified as determinant
Original publication
Financial Distress and Its Determinants in Rheumatoid Arthritis. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). Published 15 December 2025. doi:10.
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