Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic disease that mainly affects the joints, but it is in fact a systemic disease, i.e. it can affect other organs such as the heart, lungs, eyes, skin, among others, and is classified as an autoimmune disease. Rheumatoid Arthritis is one of the most common forms of autoimmune disease affecting more than 6 million people worldwide.
Under normal conditions, the immune system works to protect us from anything that is foreign or alien to our body, such as viruses, bacteria and/or fungi, that cause disease and infection. This defence is ensured by antibodies, which in the case of RA, behave abnormally and attack the joints and other parts of the body, such as the lining tissue of the heart and lungs, among others.
The RoActive Programme was developed to support patients diagnosed with autoimmune disease and being treated with biological medicines.
The program provides the patient and caregiver, support in the process of integrating medication into the routine, in self-administration training (therapeutic plan prescribed by the physician), in the management of possible adverse events, as well as in information about storage, transport and disposal conditions.
To support the patient, the Health Team has a set of health professionals specialised in the disease and the therapy prescribed by the assistant doctor, promoting therapeutic adherence and autonomy in the management of the disease.
