A new framework to advocate for improving the quality of life of people with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases

by European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology, EULAR

edited by Lisa Lock, reviewed by Robert Egan

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Rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs) contribute significantly to the disability and health care burden in Europe, but until now there has been no harmonized, specific data set to help systematically compare differences in rheumatology workforces, health resources and access to care across nations. This is important because aspects of both individual and societal burdens may be preventable with early diagnosis and prompt care. RheumaFacts aims to change that by bringing together results from 36 countries to establish a new benchmark.

RheumaFacts, a EULAR initiative, is a longitudinal mixed-sources study initiated in 2023 by a working group of epidemiologists, patient representatives, health professionals and EULAR staff to gather data from national scientific rheumatology societies, as well as demographic and economic information from open-source databases. The aim was to generate robust, comparable evidence to strengthen advocacy, inform workforce planning and guide investment in equitable access to care.

A new manuscript based on this study—published in the Annals of Rheumatic Diseases—reveals large disparities in workforce density, as well as the availability of nonpharmacological care and access to modern treatments such as biologic and targeted synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (b/tsDMARD). Of note, the number of rheumatologists working in each country varies widely, with densities ranging from 0.8 to 6.6 for every 100,000 inhabitants.

Although access to traditional DMARDs is almost universal, only 34% had access to all licensed biologics, while 51% had access to all targeted synthetic options. Reimbursement for chronic nonpharmacological care is also limited, with just 72% covering physiotherapy and only 39% offering psychological support—available in just 14 of the countries included.

"RheumaFacts establishes the first European benchmark for rheumatology care, revealing substantial inequalities in workforce capacity, multidisciplinary care and access to treatments across Europe, while providing the evidence needed to drive policy and advocacy," said Professor Anna Moltó, first author of the paper and a rheumatologist at Bichat Hospital in Paris.

"This first edition is only the starting point. Our ambition is to build a long-term observatory that will allow us not only to monitor these inequalities but also to measure progress and support actions that improve the lives of people living with RMDs."

EULAR plays a central role in shaping musculoskeletal health policy, but there remains a need for coordinated action, and RheumaFacts delivers the first harmonized basis for monitoring key gaps. These findings will allow inequities and progress in rheumatology care to be monitored over time, enabling EULAR and national societies to track progress and inform health policymakers—ultimately improving the quality of life for people with an RMD.

Publication details

Anna Moltó et al, Mapping inequalities in rheumatology care in Europe: the first edition of the EULAR RheumaFacts project, Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2026). DOI: 10.1016/j.ard.2026.05.032

Journal information: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases , Annals of Rheumatic Diseases

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Rheumatology Provided by European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology, EULAR Who's behind this story?

Lisa Lock

BA art history, MA material culture. Former museum editor, paramedic, and transplant coordinator. Editing for Science X since 2021. Full profile →

Robert Egan

Bachelor's in mathematical biology, Master's in creative writing. Well-traveled with unique perspectives on science and language. Full profile →

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