This project will give the opportunity to 30 low-income patients of having a prompt diagnosis of the kind of rheumatic disease they suffer. Having an early diagnosis reduces the negative impact of this kind of diseases, including immobility. It also reduces the negative impact on the economy of the family, since this kind of tests imply a huge expenditure that particularly affects low-income families. Having an early diagnosis will improve the future possibilities of controlling the disease.
Rheumatic diseases affect more individuals than any other disease group; a third of people of all ages are affected at some point during their lifetime. Untreated rheumatic diseases reduce life expectancy. Specialists agree that centers for early diagnosis should be established within the framework of outpatient specialist care, specially low-income patients that cannot afford the cost of tests. Early diagnosis is of key importance in achieving effective treatment, and improved prognosis.
Our center treats low-income rheumatic patients with an integral approach that includes, when possible, covering the expenses of specific tests, for patients that still do not have a clear diagnosis and have not been able to pay laboratory tests and therefore are unattended. Time is essential in this kind of diseases and through an early diagnosis we will help approximately 1/4 of our low-income patients, improve their quality of life and extend their life expectancy.
The project will support 30 patients and their families. First of all, patients and families receive psychological support and a community network upon which they can rely. Then the physical aspect will be firstly addressed through laboratory tests and medical attention by a rheumatologist. Then, having identified the disease, patients will have acces to physiotherapy and nutrition support. We hope that in the medium and long term all of these will have an impact on a better quality of life.
