Calidad de vida y capacidad funcional en pacientes con artritis reumatoide de una asociación de Paraguay 2022

Abstract

Introduction. Rheumatoid arthritis is a disease characterized by joint pain, fatigue, functional disability and contributes to the patient's depression. Objective. to evaluate the quality of life and functional capacity in patients diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis of the members of the Association of Arthritis Warriors in the year 2022 in Paraguay. Methods. Observational cross-sectional analytical study that included 200 patients diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, selected with a non-probabilistic sampling. The measurement was made through the Spanish version of "quality of life (QOL-RA)" and "disability (HAQ)" questionnaires. Results. The instruments had a Cronbach's alpha of 0.842 and 0.972, respectively. The participants were mostly females (89.5%), mean age of 47.5 years and a mean duration of the disease 14.07 years. The subscales that most affected quality of life were pain, tension, health and arthritis and the highest quality of life was observed in help and interaction. In relation to functional capacity, less difficulty was observed in dressing and hygiene, and greater difficulty in grasping, walking and getting up. Patients presented a quality of life with a mean of 6.61. There was a moderate significant inverse correlation (r=0.598) between quality of life and functional capacity. Conclusion. Patients presented a good quality of life and slight disability. There was a moderate significant inverse correlation between quality of life and functional capacity.