Quality of Life for Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Abstract

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis is a systemic, autoimmune and inflammatory disease that is associated with progressive joint degeneration and limitation of physical activity. Aim of this study: To assess quality of life for patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Design: A descriptive exploratory study design was used. Setting: This study was conducted at Makkah Hospital in outpatient clinics and rehabilitation unit/Makkah, Saudi Arabia. Sample: A purposive sample of 100 patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Tool: patient interview questionnaire, Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index, Hamilton Anxiety Scale, Zung Self Rating Depression Scale and Arthritis Impact Measurement Scale. Results:Two thirds of patients had poor quality of life and near one third of them had fair quality of life,also quarter of the studied patients had much disability. Also the majority of them had mild anxiety.While less than quarter had mild depression and the minority were severly depressed . Conclusion: There was a negative correlation between both of disability, depression and anxiety and quality of life. Recommendations: Provide an educational program for patients how to deal with disease for improving their quality of life.