OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to describe patient reported outcomes in Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) in Japan. METHODS: Patient reported outcomes including Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ), EQ-5D, and general health (1=Excellent health) were collected as part of a cross-sectional survey of 307 consecutive RA patients at Nippon Medical School attending the RA clinic from June to November in 2002. A health care resource utilization form was also administered to patients and physicians to collect data on patient demographics, disease duration, type of DMARD used, number of outpatient visits, hospitalization and surgeries. All statistical analysis of data were conducted using SPSS11.5. RESULTS: The patient population (N=307) was predominantly female (86.3%) with an average age of 61 years. The mean age at onset of RA was 44.3 years, with a mean disease duration of 16.6 years. The most commonly used antirheumatic agents were: Methotrexate(46.4%), bucillamine (29.2%) and salazosulfapyridine (15.0%). The mean HAQ scores for the surveyed patients (N=303) was 0.83 (}0.76). Mean patient utilities (N=298) was 0.60 (}0.19). Mean general health (N=305) was 0.66 (}0.18). CONCLUSIONS: RA significantly impacts patients lives in terms of disability, patient utility and general health. However, patients with RA in Japan report lower disability, higher utility scores and better general health compared to patients with similar disease duration in the Western countries.