Abstract
Persons with rheumatoid arthritis use assistive devices to enable them, in spite of impaired hand dexterity and grip strength, to manage Activities of Daily Living (ADL). The aim of the research was to lay the foundation for a list of essential assistive devices through determining which assistive devices for ADL were most often used and requested, investigating whether there was a correlation between grip strength and the number of assistive devices, duration of disease, degree of difficulty in performing ADL and by investigating whether there was a correlation between difficulty in ADL and number of assistive devices, duration of the disease. Fifty five persons, 42 females and 13 males, seen at the Pretoria Academic Hospital's Arthritis Clinic were recruited. A questionnaire was used to determine the level of difficulty with ADL. Details about assistive devices were recorded. The modified sphygmomanometer was used to measure grip strength. Assistive devices most in use were the tap turner and the dagger knife with built up handle. The highest correlation was found between grip strength and difficulty in ADL and between difficulty in ADL and the number of assistive devices used. It seems therefore that loss of grip strength is the main indicator for assistive devices.
Highlights
Implications of rheumatoid arthritis for everyday livingRheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic and progressive sys temic disease that affects connective tissue
The highest correlation was found between grip strength and difficulty in Activities of Daily Living (ADL) and between dif ficulty in ADL and the number of assistive de vices used
It seems that loss of grip strength is the main indicator for assistive devices
Summary
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic and progressive sys temic disease that affects connective tissue It involves many joints, especially those of the hands and feet, leading to deformities and disability. According to Harris, cited in Dellhag and Burckhardt (1995:16), over ninety percent of people with rheumatoid arthritis are believed to have some involvement of their hand joints. This involvement often leads to diminished grip strength and difficulty with per forming everyday tasks. With the implementation of the Primary Health Care ap proach fewer patients attend clinics at tertiary institutions where specialist arthritis services, including those of an occupational therapist, are available. Very few o f the latter institutions have the services of an occupational therapist
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