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Preliminary Study on Acupuncture Combined with Grain-sized Moxibustion for Treating Rheumatoid Arthritis with Finger Joint Pain
Published on: May 16, 2025
796
Economic Burden of Rheumatoid Arthritis in Iran: A Societal Perspective
Mehdi Rezaee1,2, Farhad Lotfi3, Ahmad Gholami4,5
1Department of Management, Economics and Health Policy, School of Health Bushehr University of Medical Sciences Bushehr Iran.
Public Health Challenges
|November 14, 2025
Summary
The economic burden of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in Iran was $6388.64 per patient-year in 2022. Direct medical costs, particularly medications, were the primary driver of this significant financial impact on patients and society.
Area of Science:
- Health Economics
- Rheumatology
- Public Health
Background:
- Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, systemic inflammatory disease with substantial economic implications.
- Uncontrolled RA significantly burdens patients and healthcare systems.
- Understanding the economic burden is crucial for effective management and resource allocation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify the total economic burden of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in Iran.
- To identify the key cost drivers associated with RA management in the Iranian context.
- To provide data-driven recommendations for mitigating the economic impact of RA.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2022, involving 765 RA patients.
- Prevalence-based and bottom-up approaches were utilized for cost estimation.
- The human capital approach was employed to calculate indirect costs.
Main Results:
- The overall economic burden of RA in Iran was estimated at $6388.64 per patient-year in 2022.
- Mean annual RA costs varied by disease state: $6268.24 (remission), $6248.00 (low), and $6729.43 (moderate-to-severe).
- Direct medical costs, especially medication expenses, constituted the most significant component.
Conclusions:
- Rheumatoid arthritis imposes a considerable economic burden on Iranian patients and society.
- Reducing the economic burden necessitates strategies like domestic production of RA medications and enhanced home care services.
- Policy interventions should focus on optimizing medication accessibility and care delivery models.
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