Health Related Quality of Life of Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis Attending in a Rheumatic Center, Lalitpur

Abstract

Introduction: Rheumatoid Arthritis is a systemic autoimmune disorder, whose major distinctive feature is chronic, symmetrical, and erosive inflammation of the synovial tissue of joints which has a significant impact on patients’ physical, mental and social well-being, resulting in low health-related quality of life. The main objective of the study was to find out the health-related quality of life of patients with rheumatoid arthritis in a selected rheumatic Centre, Lalitpur.

Method: A Descriptive cross-sectional design was adopted among 115 rheumatoid arthritis patients through non-probability purposive sampling. Data was collected through face to face interview taking written informed consent. Data was collected from 2^nd September to 28th September 2018. Data were analyzed through descriptive and inferential statistics using SPSS version 16.

Result: In this study, the mean score of the overall health-related quality of life was 55.84±13.43. The mean physical component score was 55.96±13.61 and the mental component score was 45.42±13.84. Regarding association with the physical quality of life, age (p=0.008) and type of family (p=0.04) which were significantly associated. Regarding association with mental quality of life, age (p=0.02), marital status (p=0.03) and BMI (p= 0.001) which were significantly associated with mental quality of life.

Conclusion: The overall health-related quality of life of patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis was average whereas mental health domain score was below average. Thus, both physical and mental domain of health-related quality of life should be considered by the concerned authority.