A patient has spoken out about the difficulty of living with the effects of Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) on World Arthritis Day.

Vera Coombs, 70, of Upper Grosvenor Road, has shared her insight into the condition she has lived with since 1999, as new figures reveal that those with joint inflammation in Kent and the South East have significantly lower levels of life satisfaction than the UK national average.

Mrs Coombs, a retired nurse and an active member of Arthritis Action said: “Being a nurse after battling to continue to work for 18 months, my doctor said I would have to take early retirement on medical disability.

"Following a busy work schedule looking after patients, I found myself in the opposite position as a patient who needed help myself. Being in so much pain with constant flare ups and no one to turn to for help or advice, as GP and specialists do not have time apart from your appointment, is very difficult.

"A lot of people just don't understand how bad RA is. It affects the whole family, as you can't get involved in activities like walking. If I go out I have to be in a wheelchair or a mobility scooter. You lose hobbies and you lose friends because you can't join in with what you used to. I can't pick my grandchildren up, I can't hold them, I can't get on the floor and play with them.

“The support meetings are very beneficial as all the guest speakers give talks on various topics that are beneficial to arthritis patients, their families and carers, for the patient to manage their condition at home.

"Arthritis does not only affect the patient but also the family, as they can't join in with all family activities as they once did. Patients and families should join Arthritis Action and come to the group meetings to learn and get advice from the staff and speakers on how to cope, adapt and manage their arthritis to lead as normal a daily life as possible.”

The YouGov survey polled 2,074 people of working age with the condition. One in five of those surveyed have had to give up work because of their arthritis (22% in the South East) and with half saying that their condition has affected their or their partner’s working life in one way or another.

A quarter of those currently in employment face challenges at work because of their arthritis, including difficulty coping with the job and added stress (23% in the South East).

The average UK score for life satisfaction is 7.61, while people with arthritis scored 6.5 in Kent and the rest of the South East, dropping to 5.51 for younger people (aged 25 to 39), 2.1 points below the national average.

Based on Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures, life satisfaction is measured on an 11-point scale, where a score of 0 is not at all satisfied and 10 is completely satisfied.

The next meeting is in Tunbridge Wells on Monday, November 5 from 1.45 to 3.45pm at the St Philips Church, Tunbridge Wells. Those interested in attending can register by phone 0203 781 7120 or email info@arthritisaction.org.uk.