Utilization characteristics of health care service for rheumatoid arthritis patients in Korea

The purpose of this study was to determine the factors which were responsible for delaying early diagnosis and optimal management of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in Korea. We interviewed 109 outpatients diagnosed as RA and being treated by rheumatologists, and we eventually analyzed 98 patients' data. The median length of time from symptom onset to the first visit to a medical doctor, to diagnosis, and to visiting a rheumatologist were 8 weeks 23 weeks, and 42 months respectively. The subspecialists with whom the patients consulted with for the longest time before visiting a rheumatologist were an orthopaedic surgeon for 51 patients, a Chinese herbal doctor for 19 patients, and a pharmacist for 16 patients. For early diagnosis and optimal management of RA in Korea, we believe that it is necessary to reduce the use of unconventional medical services such as Chinese herbal medicine and nonprescribed medication, and to emphasize rheumatologic and rehabilitative care in the early stage.