Assessment of health-related quality of life among patients of rheumatoid arthritis in Rawalpindi: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background/objectives

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disorder that significantly impairs patients' health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Early diagnosis and improved disease management can alleviate a patient and country's financial burden. The study aimed to evaluate the HRQoL of RA patients in Rawalpindi to highlight its debilitating nature in the national context.

Methods

This cross-sectional study evaluates the HRQoL of RA patients in Rawalpindi using the EuroQol 5D (EQ-5D) scale. The study involved 400 participants from the outpatient department of Benazir Bhutto Hospital, primarily middle-aged women, assessing various domains of health, including mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain, and depression.

Results

A significant decrease in HRQoL was observed in RA patients, influenced by the duration and severity of the disease (p-value = 0.00). The mean EQ-5D index score was 0.4 ± 0.4, while the mean VAS score was 54.7 ± 16.5. Most participants (43 %) experienced moderate disease intensity, with diabetes (27.8 %) and high blood pressure (20 %) being common comorbidities. Pain and physical impairments significantly impacted daily activities and emotional well-being, with 23.5 % of patients reporting moderate problems in multiple dimensions of the EQ-5D scale.

Conclusion

RA has a profound impact on the HRQoL of patients in Rawalpindi. The effect is significantly associated with disease severity and duration, highlighting the need for comprehensive management strategies like early disease diagnosis and prompt treatment to improve the quality of life for RA patients.