CLINICAL RESEARCH
The role of demographic and clinical variables
in assessing the quality of life of outpatients with rheumatoid arthritis
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Submission date: 2016-12-04
Final revision date: 2017-03-22
Acceptance date: 2017-04-06
Online publication date: 2018-07-20
Publication date: 2018-08-07
Arch Med Sci 2018;14(5):1070-1079
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
Introduction:
Introduction: The aim of this study was to assess quality of life among patients
with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treated as outpatients. The specific
question was: does the quality of life of RA patients depend on demographic
variables and clinical variables?
Material and methods:
The study included 240 patients with RA recruited
from outpatients. To assess quality of life, the Polish version of the Arthritis
Impact Measurement Scales 2 (AIMS2) was applied. Clinical tests: Visual
Analogue Scale, Morning Stiffness, Grip Strength, Richie Articular Index
Results:
Results: The analysis of life quality for the total group was carried out in the
particular AIMS2 of the mean scores for joint pain – 7.37; walking and bending
– 6.62; social activity – 5.52; level of tension – 5.17; satisfaction – 5.17;
hand and finger function – 4.28; mood – 4.03; physical activity – 3.27; arm
function – 3.16; household tasks – 2.67; self-care – 2.18; and support from
family and friends – 1.75. The arthritis impact score was 6.01. The analysis
of the correlation between clinical variables and individual AIMS2 subscales
showed a statistically significant relationship between the VAS Pain, Grip
Strength Measurement, Morning Stiffness and quality of life subscales. The
strongest correlation was found between Grip Strength Measurement and
arthritis pain, work, hand and finger function. Moreover, a strong correlation
for satisfaction was found.
Conclusions:
The study results may be helpful for further health-related
studies on quality of life among RA studies and in making therapeutic decisions
concerning quality of life improvement.