Abstract
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disabling disease with significant impact on the Quality of Life (QOL) of patients. Information on the effects of RA on Health-related Quality of Life (HRQoL) is lacking in the Lebanese population. The objective of this study was to evaluate QOL of RA patients compared with non-RA subjects and to suggest possible predictors of their QOL in Lebanon. We conducted a case–control observational study among individuals visiting the external clinics at three hospitals and different private clinics; the QOL was measured using the SF-36 questionnaire administered face to face to the study population, applied to RA (N = 90) and non-RA (N = 180) groups. RA presented lower Physical Component Scores (PCS) and Mental Component Scores (MCS) as well as overall QOL scores. Among RA patients, MCS and QOL were significantly decreased with morning stiffness duration (β = −9.211, p = 0.013 and β = −9.190, p = 0.009, respectively). The frequency of practicing sport per week increases PCS and QOL (β = 6.692, p = 0.002 and β = 6.148, p = 0.003, respectively). Workability has a positive effect on PCS (β = 5.546, p = 0.022) and time between blood transfusion and the onset of the disease has a positive impact on MCS (β = 8.415, p = 0.007). To improve QOL of patients with RA, health professionals have to take these results into consideration while treating their patients.
Highlights
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease characterized by pain, stiffness, swelling, and tenderness of synovial joints [1]
90 patients (33.3%) diagnosed with RA were included as cases and 180 patients (66.7%) who were not diagnosed with RA were included in the control group
Significant difference was found between RA and control in the place of living (p < 0.001), such that most of the cases were found living in Beirut (77.8% versus 62.8% of the controls), 7.8% of the cases were living in Bekaa and 7.8% in South Lebanon, whereas it was 22.8% and 14.4% for the control group, respectively
Summary
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease characterized by pain, stiffness, swelling, and tenderness of synovial joints [1]. There is an estimated prevalence of RA in the world population from 0.5 to 1%, with mean annual incidence of 0.02–0.05%. Women are more likely to develop RA than men [2]. Being overweight increases the risk of RA for women but decreases the risk for men [2]. Prolonged smoking has a role in increasing the concentration of rheumatoid factor, “which is an antibody”. Moderate consumption of alcohol does not seem to increase women’s risk and may even lower it. Specific diet rich in antioxidants and poor in red meat and sugars may decrease the risk of RA [4]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
