Assessing the Quality of Life for Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis : A Cross-Sectional Study in Thi-qar, Iraq
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31351/vol35iss3pp170-178Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), which is a chronic autoimmune and inflammatory disease, Rheumatoid arthritis is characterized by being chronic and multisystem, it affects various parts of the body joints, RA primarily affects the small joints of the hands and feet. Quality of life is used as an indicator for health outcomes, it serves as a sensitive measure to evaluate a patient's health status after receiving treatment and assessing the overall impact of the treatment on their well-being. Aim: The objective of the study is to estimate the quality of life of a group of Iraqi patients who have rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and to explore potential connections between different components of quality of life (such as physical, psychological, social, and environmental health) and specific factors related to the patients.
Method: The researchers used the Arabic version of the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire to assess the participants' quality of life. The questionnaire covers four main domains: Physical Health (seven items) Psychological Well-being (six items) Social Relationships (three items) Environment (eight items), Each domain contains several questions that collectively measure that specific aspect of quality of life.
Result: The overall quality of life mean was 26.43 ± 12.37. The mean for social health was the highest (38.17 ± 17.17), while the mean for environmental health was the lowest (12.68 ± 19.95). Age and marital status have negative correlations with every component of QOL (physical health, psychological health, social health, and environmental health) in univariate analysis, nevertheless a higher level of education has a direct correlation with all aspects of QOL. Also, there is a negative association between marital status and the physical, psychological, and social health of QOL as well as a negative correlation between gender and the physical, psychological, and environmental health of QOL.
Conclusion: In conclusion, rheumatoid arthritis patients in this study perceived lower quality of life in environmental and physical aspects with better improvements in social and psychological health scores. In addition, age, marital status and education considers a significant factor affecting Q.O.L especially among those older age, lower education levels and married.
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