scholarly journals AB0064 EVALUATION OF QUALITY OF LIFE IN RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS USING SF-36 AND HAQ SCALES

2021 ◽  
Vol 80 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 1063.1-1063
Author(s):  
M. Brahem ◽  
M. Hassayoun ◽  
H. Hachfi ◽  
R. Sarraj ◽  
M. Ardhaoui ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Disease Activity ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Bodily Pain ◽  
Global Score ◽  
Sf 36 ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The Impact

Background:The assessment of health-related quality-of-life (HRQoL) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is becoming a common tool in clinical practice. The medical outcomes survey short form 36 (SF- 36) is one of the most widely used tools for measuring HRQoL in RA as well as the HAQ scale.Objectives:The aim of our study is to evaluate the impact of the RA in the quality of life (QoL) of our patients using the SF-36 and the HAQ questionnaires.Methods:This is a cross-sectional study during a period of the year 2020, including 70 patients followed in the department of Rheumatology in Mahdia, Tunisia. All patients were diagnosed with RA based in ACR 1987/EULAR 2010. We evaluated for each patient, the mean global scale and the eight domains of SF-36 (physical functioning (PF), role physical (RP), bodily pain (BP), general health (GH), vitality (VT), a social functioning (SF), role emotional (RE) and mental health (MH)), scored from 0 (worst) to 100 (best).Results:Our study included 70 patients (59 females/11males) with an age ranged from 21 to 76 years. The mean age was 54 ± 12 years. The mean duration of the disease was 11 ± 10 years [1-40]. The mean number of tender joints was 9.7 ±9.4 and swollen joints were 4.2 ±6.1. The mean disease activity score (DAS28) was 4.6 ±1.9 [1.2-8.4]. The mean HAQ score was 1.5±1.3, 47.1% of patients had specific joint deformations, 82.9% had radiologic involvement and 31.4% had osteoporosis. The biologic analysis showed that the mean ESR was 46.7 ± 30.5 and the CRP was 15.8 ±23.3. Rheumatoid factors were positive in 42.9% of cases, the ACPA were positive in 50% of cases. 84.3% of RA patients were treated by methotrexate, 4.3% were treated by salazopyrin and 11.4% were treated by biologic treatments.The SF-36 global score was 50.4 ± 26.3 [15.3-92.8]. 46 patients (65.7% of cases) had impaired QoL (SF-36<66.7). The means of different domains (PF, RP, BP, GH, VT, SF, RE, MH) were respectively 51; 41.4; 51.4; 50; 51.2; 57.7; 41.9; 59.2. The most severely impacted domains were the RP and RE.Our study showed a significant correlation between the SF-36 global score and the number of tender joints (p=0.002), the DAS28 (p=0.017) and the HAQ(p=0.000).Conclusion:Our study showed that 65.7% of RA patients presented impaired QoL (SF-36<66.7), which is associated with high disease activity. So it’s important to jugulate the disease, in order to ameliorate the quality of life of our patients.References:[1]Matcham, F., Scott, IC, Rayner, L., Hotopf, M., Kingsley, GH, Norton, S.,… Steer, S. (2014). L’impact de la polyarthrite rhumatoïde sur la qualité de vie évalué à l’aide du SF-36: une revue systématique et une méta-analyse. Séminaires sur l’arthrite et les rhumatismes, 44 (2), 123-130. doi: 10.1016 / j.semarthrit.2014.05.001.Disclosure of Interests:None declared

scholarly journals IMPACT OF DIFFERENT LEVELS OF DISEASE ACTIVITY IN PAINFUL PROFILE AND QUALITY OF LIFE IN PEOPLE WITH RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

2014 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Selena Márcia Dubois Mendes ◽  
Bárbara Liliane Lôbo Queiroz ◽  
Larissa Vieira Santana ◽  
Abrahão Fontes Baptista ◽  
Mittermayer Barreto Santiago ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Disease Activity ◽  
Pain Perception ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Care Service ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Sf 36 ◽  
Different Levels

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic inflammatory autoimmune disease with impact on increasing the morbidity and mortality rates. Different levels of disease activity (LDA) have been established, however, its impact on pain and quality of life have yet to be been evidenced. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship of different levels of disease activity on the painful profile and quality of life (QOL) of patients diagnosed with RA. This was a cross-sectional study, conducted in RA patients attending an Educational Outpatient Care Service in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. The LDA was defined according to values of Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR), Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and number of swollen and sore joints, according to the Disease Activity Score in 28 joints (DAS28). Types of pain were assessed using the Douleur Neuropathique en 4 questions (DN4). To evaluate QOL, the Short Form (36) Health Survey (SF-36) and Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) were applied. The association between LDA, QOL and painful profile was verified using One Way-ANOVA and Bonferroni correction post-test. A high LAD was observed in 67.7% of the 96 patients  evaluated in this study. Pain sensation was reported by 94.8 % of participants with 40.6 % reporting it as nociceptive and 80.2% as intense. It was also observed that the higher LAD found the higher was the pain intensity reported (p=0.001) and lower QOL scores (p<0.001). Although the LDA did not correlate with the type of pain (p=0.611), it was correlated with the total score obtained in the QOL from the HAQ (p=0.001). The greatest impact on QOL evaluated through the SF-36 were physical (p<0.001) and functional capacity (p<0.001). In conclusion, RA patients who had high LDA reported more severe pain perception and obtained the lowest scores in the assessment of quality of life.

scholarly journals Registration of Health-Related Quality of Life in a Cohort of Patients Undergoing Cholecystectomy

2011 ◽  
Vol 2011 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simon Henry Pålsson ◽  
Ib Rasmussen ◽  
Patrik Lundström ◽  
Johanna Österberg ◽  
Gabriel Sandblom
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Bodily Pain ◽  
Swedish Population ◽  
Sf 36 ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Related Quality ◽  
And Gender ◽  
The Impact

Background. Assessment of gallstone surgery’s impact on quality of life (QoL) requires a reliable instrument with sufficient responsiveness. The instrument should also enable estimation of each individual’s expected condition in an unaffected state. Materials and Methods. The Swedish Register for Gallstone Surgery and ERCP (GallRiks) registers indications, complications, results, and QoL-outcome of gallstone surgery. In 2008, 68 hospitals were registered in GallRiks. Between 2007 and 2008, SF-36 (a short form health survey) was filled in 1-2 weeks pre- and 6–9 months postoperatively at five of the units. Expected scores were determined from an age- and gender-matched Swedish population (AGMSP). Results. Of the 330 patients, 212 responded to SF36 pre- and postoperatively (RR = 64%; 212/330). Standardized response means ranged from 0.20 to 0.93 for the SF-36 subscores. Highest responsiveness was seen for bodily pain. Preoperatively, all subscores were significantly lower than in the AGMSP (all ). Six months postoperatively, there was no significant difference between any of the observed and expected quality of life subscales. Conclusion. SF-36 is a useful instrument for measuring the impact of gallstone surgery on QoL. The postinterventional health status equalled or even exceeded the AGMSP for all subscales.

The Impact of Tinnitus on Quality of Life in Older Adults

2007 ◽  
Vol 18 (03) ◽  
pp. 257-266 ◽  
Author(s):  
David M. Nondahl ◽  
Karen J. Cruickshanks ◽  
Dayna S. Dalton ◽  
Barbara E.K. Klein ◽  
Ronald Klein ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Linear Trend ◽  
Bodily Pain ◽  
Calidad De Vida ◽  
Sf 36 ◽  
The Impact

Few population-based data exist to assess the impact of tinnitus on quality of life. As part of the Epidemiology of Hearing Loss Study, self-reported data on tinnitus and quality of life were obtained by interview at the first follow-up examination (1998–2000; N = 2800; ages 53–97 years). The Medical Outcomes Study Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) was used to assess quality of life. Adjusted mean SF-36 scores decreased (worsened) with increasing tinnitus severity (None, Mild, Moderate, Severe) for the Role-Physical, Bodily Pain, Vitality, and Mental Health domains, and the Physical Component Summary scale (F-tests for linear trend, p < .05). Scores tended to be lower for those who first reported tinnitus at the follow-up (five-year incidence of tinnitus) compared to those who reported tinnitus at the baseline and follow-up examinations (prevalent tinnitus). This study documents clear associations between tinnitus and reduced quality of life in this large cohort of older adults. Existen pocos datos con base poblacional para evaluar el impacto del acúfeno sobre la calidad de vida. Como parte de un Estudio de Epidemiología de los Trastornos Auditivos, se obtuvieron datos de auto-reporte sobre el acúfeno y la calidad de vida por medio de entrevistas en el primer examen de seguimiento (1998-2000; N = 2800; edades: 53'97 años). La Encuesta de Salud de Fórmula Corta (SF-36) del Estudio de Resultados Médicos (MOS) fue utilizado para evaluar la calidad de vida. Los puntajes medios ajustados de la SF-36 disminuyeron (se deterioraron) conforme aumentó la severidad del acúfeno (Ninguno, Leve, Moderado, Severo) en las áreas de Papel Físico, Dolor Corporal, Vitalidad, y Salud Mental, y de acuerdo a la Escala Resumen de Componente Físico (Prueba F para tendencias lineales, p < 0.05). Los puntajes tendieron a ser más bajos para aquellos que reportaron el acúfeno en la cita de seguimiento (una incidencia de cinco años del acúfeno) comparados con aquellos que reportaron el acúfeno al inicio y en el seguimiento (acúfeno prevalente). Este estudio documenta una clara asociación entre el acúfeno y una reducción en la calidad de vida, en esta grande cohorte de adultos mayores.

Quality of life in patients with asthma

2016 ◽  
Vol 33 (S1) ◽  
pp. S377-S377
Author(s):  
R. Ennaoui ◽  
M. Turki ◽  
N. Moussa ◽  
S. Sellami ◽  
N. Halouani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Asthma Control ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Control Level ◽  
Bodily Pain ◽  
Sf 36 ◽  
Duration Of Disease ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Act Score

IntroductionQuality of life (QoL) is a complex concept that depends on many factors such as life style, past experiences, expectations, future plans and ambitions. It may be altered in patients suffering from chronic disease.ObjectivesAssess QoL in patients with asthma as well as associated factors.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional, descriptive and analytic study, including 30 patients followed for asthma at pulmonary outpatient department, Hedi Chaker Hospital, Sfax, Tunisia. Asthma control level was evaluated by the Asthma Control Test (ACT). QoL was assessed using the 36-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36), that contains 36 questions grouped into 8 domains (D1: Physical Functioning, D2: Role limitations due to physical problems, D3: Bodily Pain, D4: General Health, D5: Vitality, D6: Social Functioning, D7: Role limitations due to emotional problems and D8: Mental Health).ResultsThe mean age was 51 ans. The mean duration of disease was 11 years. The average ACT score was 16.8 points. Asthma was uncontrolled in 1/3 of patients. The mean of average overall scores SF-36 was 46.22. QoL was altered in 83.3% of patients. The most altered domains were D8 followed by D7then D4 and D2. The average overall score SF-36 was correlated to ACT score (P < 0.001), early age of onset of the disease (P = 0.049) and poor asthma control (P < 0.001). Altered QoL was associated to advanced age (P = 0.016), long duration of disease (P < 0.001) and low ACT score (P = 0.034).ConclusionOptimum asthma and associated comorbidities support would improve control and therefore the patient's quality of life.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

scholarly journals POS0515 FIBROMYALGIA IN MEXICAN PATIENTS WITH RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

2021 ◽  
Vol 80 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 491.1-492
Author(s):  
L. D. Fajardo Hermosillo
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Multivariate Analysis ◽  
Disease Activity ◽  
Functional Status ◽  
Univariate Analysis ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Mexican Patients

Background:Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a disabling chronic inflammatory disease that shows an unpredictable and severe clinical course [1]. Global assessment, functional status and disease activity of patients with RA can be influenced also by non-inflammatory factors as concomitant presence of fibromyalgia (FM) [1,2]. FM occur up to 20% in RA patients, who present chronic widespread pain, fatigue and cognitive symptoms that impacts achieving a complete disease remission, having more comorbidities, bearing a higher medical cost and finally exhibiting a worse quality of life [1,3,4]. Range of manifestations of FM varies according ethnical and cultural differences between patients [1]. Here is presented the impact of fibromyalgia in Mexican patients with RA.Objectives:To determinate the frequency and factors associated to fibromyalgia in Mexican RA patients.Methods:624 patients with RA that fulfilled ACR/EULAR 2010 criteria (≥18 years) from a Mexican population recruited from 2012 to 2020 were examined. Patients with or without presence of FM diagnosed by ACR 2010/2011 criteria were included. Demographic factors, clinical features, disease activity measured using DAS28 (Disease Activity Score 28-joint counts), functional status evaluated by HAQ (Health Assessment Questionnaire), comorbidities and pharmacologic treatments were explored for RA patients with and without FM. Charlson’s comorbidity index (CCI) was used to analyze comorbidities. Chi-square, Student´s-t, U Mann-Whitney tests were performed by univariate analysis and logistic regression was executed by multivariate analysis adjusted for age and gender. Statistical tests were conducted at 5% level of significance.Results:Of 624 patients with RA 88.8% were women. The mean age [standard deviation (SD)] was 55.0 (12.3) years. The mean of time at onset of RA (SD) was 11.2 (9.1) years. A total of 311(49.8%) patients had FM; of them 91.6% were women and the mean age (SD) was 54.5 (12.2) years. In the univariate analysis RA patients with FM were more likely to be older and smokers, have seropositive RA, higher body mass index and longer time at onset of RA, show worse functional status by HAQ and more radiographic progression, present more extra-articular and Sicca manifestations, exhibit increased demand of hip and knee arthroplasty, also reveal a higher frequency of comorbidities including depression, osteoporosis and type 2 diabetes mellitus, besides to use a greater number of disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs), more biologic agents and higher doses of corticosteroids. Also, CCI was higher in RA patients with FM. Nevertheless, no differences were found for RA disease activity in both groups. In multivariate analysis, higher score of CCI (OR 1.21, 95% CI 1.01–1.44, p=0.037) remained significant in RA patients with FM.Conclusion:This study suggests that RA patients from Mexico have high prevalence of the FM. Those with FM have a worse functional status, a higher frequency and score of comorbidities that impact in a reduction of their quality of life. On the other hand, no differences were found for RA disease activity in both groups. However, these observations must be confirmed in larger and prospective studies.References:[1]Zhao SS et al. Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol. 2019;33(3):101423;[2]Duffield SJ et al. Rheumatology (Oxford). 2018;57(8):1453;[3]Kim H et al. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken) 2017;69(12):1871;[4]Salaffi Fet al. Rheumatol Int. 2017;37(12):2035.Disclosure of Interests:None declared

scholarly journals The impact of symptoms on daily life as perceived by patients with Charcot-Marie-Tooth type 1A disease

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefano Tozza ◽  
Dario Bruzzese ◽  
Daniele Severi ◽  
Emanuele Spina ◽  
Rosa Iodice ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Daily Life ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Lower Limbs ◽  
Charcot Marie Tooth ◽  
Rank Analysis ◽  
Sf 36 ◽  
Tooth Type ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Introduction In Charcot-Marie-Tooth type 1A (CMT1A) patients, daily life is mainly influenced by mobility and ambulation dysfunctions. The aim of our work was to evaluate the perception of disturbances that mostly impact on daily life in CMT1A patients and its difference on the basis of age, gender, disability, and quality of life. Methods Forty-one CMT1A patients underwent neurological assessment focused on establishing clinical disability through the Charcot-Marie-Tooth Neuropathy Score (CMTNS) and quality of life through the Short Form-36 (SF-36) questionnaire. We identified from CMT disturbances 5 categories [weakness in lower limbs (WLL), weakness in upper limbs (WUL), skeletal deformities (SD), sensory symptoms (SS), balance (B)] and patients classified the categories from the highest to the lowest impact on daily life (1: highest; 5: lowest). Ranking of the 5 categories, in the overall sample and in the different subgroups (dividing by gender, median of age and disease duration, CMTNS, domains of SF-36), was obtained and differences among subgroups were assessed using a bootstrap approach. Results Rank analysis showed that WLL was the most important disturbance on daily life whereas WUL had the lowest impact. In the older CMT1A group, the most important disturbance on daily life was B that was also the most relevant disturbance in patients with a greater disability. SD influenced daily life in younger patients. SS had less impact on daily life, with the exception of patients with a milder disability. Discussion Our findings demonstrated that the perception of disturbances that mostly impact on CMT1A patients’ daily life changes over the lifetime and with degree of disability.

scholarly journals Impact of depression on quality of life in systemic lupus erythematosus patients

2021 ◽  
Vol 57 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Eman M. Khedr ◽  
Rania M. Gamal ◽  
Sounia M. Rashad ◽  
Mary Yacoub ◽  
Gellan K. Ahmed
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus ◽  
Lupus Erythematosus ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Systemic Lupus ◽  
Positive Correlation ◽  
Depressed Patients ◽  
Sf 36 ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Depression is common in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and is an unmeasured risk factor, yet its symptoms can be neglected in standard disease evaluations. The purpose of this study was to assess the frequency and the impact of depression on quality of life in SLE patients. We recruited 32 patients with SLE and 15 healthy control volunteers in the study. The following investigations were undertaken in each patient: clinical and rheumatologic assessment, SLE Disease Activity Index-2k (SLEDAI-2k), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) questionnaire, and routine laboratory tests. Results There was a high percentage of depression (46.9%) in the SLE patients. Regarding quality of life (SF-36), there were significant affection of the physical and mental composite summary domains (PCS and MCS) scores in lupus patients compared with controls (P < 0.000 for both) with the same significant in depressed compared with non-depressed patients. SF-36 subscales (physical function, limit emotional, emotional wellbeing, and social function) were significantly affected in depressed lupus patients compared with non-depressed patients. There was a significant negative correlation between the score of MCS domain of SF-36 with BDI (P < 0.000) while positive correlation between SLEDAI score with depression score. In contrast, there were no significant correlations between MCS or PCS with age, duration of illness, or SLEDAI-2K. Conclusions Depression is common in SLE patients and had a negative impact on quality of life particularly on MCS domain and positive correlation with disease severity score. Trial registration This study was registered on clinical trial with registration number: NCT03165682 https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03165682 on 24 May 2017.

EVALUATION OF QUALITY OF LIFE IN BRACHIAL PLEXUS INJURY PATIENTS AFTER RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERY

Hand Surgery ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 11 (03) ◽  
pp. 103-107 ◽  
Author(s):  
Izuru Kitajima ◽  
Kazureru Doi ◽  
Yasunori Hattori ◽  
Semih Takka ◽  
Emmanuel Estrella
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Brachial Plexus ◽  
Upper Extremity ◽  
Brachial Plexus Injury ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Bodily Pain ◽  
Summary Score ◽  
Joint Function ◽  
Sf 36

To evaluate the subjective satisfaction of brachial plexus injury (BPI) patients after surgery based on the medical outcomes study 36-item short form health survey (SF-36) and to correlate their SF-36 scores with upper extremity functions. Four items were assessed statistically for 30 patients: SF-36 scores after BPI surgery were compared with Japanese standard scores; the correlation between SF-36 scores and objective joint functions; difference in SF-36 scores between each type of BPI; and influence of each joint function on the SF-36 scores. The SF-36 subscale: PF — physical functioning, RP — role-physical, BP — bodily pain, and the summary score PCS — physical component summary, were significantly inferior to the Japanese standard scores. SF-36 is more sensitive to shoulder joint function than to elbow and finger joint functions. Little correlation was found between SF-36 scores and objective evaluations of joint functions. Greater effort is needed to improve the quality of life (QOL) of BPI patients. This study showed that SF-36 is not sensitive enough to evaluate regional conditions. A region- or site-specific questionnaire is required to evaluate upper extremity surgery.

Quality of life during the first 6 months of interferon-b treatment in patients with MS

2000 ◽  
Vol 6 (5) ◽  
pp. 338-342
Author(s):  
J HA Arnoldus ◽  
J Killestein ◽  
L EMA Pfennings ◽  
B Jelles ◽  
B MJ Uitdehaag ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Side Effects ◽  
Physical Functioning ◽  
Bodily Pain ◽  
Significant Linear Trend ◽  
Role Physical ◽  
Sf 36 ◽  
The Impact

Objectives: To determine the quality of life (QoL) of MS patients during the initial 6 months of treatment with interferon-b (IFN-b). Furthermore, to determine whether changes in QoL relate to disability, emotional state, therapeutic expectations or side effect profile. Background: IFN-b has been shown to have beneficial effects on the course of MS. Since the aim of IFN-b treatment is not to cure but to slow down the disease it is important to know how this treatment affects QoL. Surprisingly, the impact of treatment with IFN-b on QoL measures has not been extensively studied so far. Methods: Case report documentation, including EDSS, SF-36 and MADRAS scores, of 51 relapsing-remitting MS patients treated with IFN-b was obtained at baseline and at months 1, 3 and 6. Patients also filled in a form about their expectations of therapy and a questionnaire on side effects. Results: During treatment there was a significant linear trend indicating improvement in the role-physical functioning (RPF) scale of the SF-36 (F1,50=4.9, P=0.032). A transient decrease at month 1 was found in the scale for bodily pain, indicating more experienced pain (F1,50=19.8, P50.001). Subgroup analysis showed that patients with most depressive symptoms on the MADRAS at baseline contributed most to the increase in RPF scores over time (F1,24=5,6 P=0.026). Furthermore, we found associations between adverse event scores and several domains of QoL. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that IFN-b therapy has an impact on QoL of MS patients in that it improves role-physical functioning and transiently worsens experienced bodily pain. QoL during treatment with IFN-b is influenced by depressive symptoms at baseline as well as by treatment-associated side-effects.

Outcomes

2013 ◽  
pp. 221-226
Author(s):  
David L. Scott
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Disease Activity ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Organ Damage ◽  
Confounding Factors ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Self Assessment ◽  
The Matrix ◽  
The Impact

Outcomes evaluate the impact of disease. In rheumatology they span measures of disease activity, end-organ damage, and quality of life. Some outcomes are categorical, such as the presence or absence of remission. Other outcomes involve extended numeric scales such as joint counts, radiographic scores, and quality of life measures. Outcomes can be measured in the short term—weeks and months—or over years and decades. Short-term outcomes, though readily related to treatment, may have less relevance for patients. Clinical trials focus on short-term outcomes whereas observational studies explore longer-term outcomes. The matrix of rheumatic disease outcomes is exemplified by rheumatoid arthritis. Its outcomes span disease activity assessments like joint counts, damage assessed by erosive scores, quality of life evaluated by disease-specific measures like the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) or generic measures like the Short Form 36 (SF-36), overall assessments like remission, and end result such as joint replacement or death. Outcome measures capture the impact of treating rheumatic diseases. They are influenced by disease severity and effective treatment. They also reflect many confounding factors. These include demographic factors like age, gender, and ethnicity and also deprivation, as poverty worsens outcomes. Comorbidities affect outcomes and patients with multiple comorbid conditions have worse quality of life with poorer outcomes. Patient self-assessment has grown in importance; it is simple and understandable. However, self-assessment can vary over time and does not always reflect assessors’ perspectives. Caution is needed comparing outcomes across units; the various confounding factors and measurement complexities make such comparative analyses challenging.

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