OBJECTIVES: To assess transportation needs and number of home visits in relation to disease activity (DAS-28CRP) and disability index of the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ-DI) in Polish patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) METHODS: Prospective data on distance covered due to RA (paid and non-paid, self and caregiver`s transport) and about number of medical home visits were gathered during 6 months observation after discharge of non-selected RA patients from one tertiary academic hospital. Patients were stratified according to their DAS28-CRP and HAQ-DI. Spearman rang correlation coefficient test was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: 205 consecutive RA patients included into the study were stratified in 5 groups: A: DAS-28CRP ≤5.1 (89 patients), B: DAS28-CRP >5.1 (116 patients), I: HAQ-DI ≤1 (51 patients), II: HAQ-DI ≤2 and >1 (88 patients) and III: HAQ-DI > 2 (66 patients). In the whole study group 157 (77%) patients used transport for a mean distance of 461 kilometers in 6 months. Corresponding values for group A, B, I, II and III were as follows: 67% for 329 km, 84% for 563 km in B, 55% for 159 km in I, 81% for 528 km in II and 88% for 605 km in III. 7 patients used home visits (3% for a mean number of 0.1 visits - 2% for 0.2, 4% for 0.2, 0% for 0, 1% for 0.3 and 9% for 0.3 in A, B, I, II and III, respectively). There was significant positive correlation between disability and both proportion of patients using transport and distance covered (both p<0.0001), between disability and home visits and between disease activity and transport (both p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Problems with moving around and need for travelling due to the disease result in significant resource use in RA patients. Comprehensive services meeting these needs may diminish the burden of disease in Poland.