Impact of Rheumatoid Arthritis on Body Image Disturbance

Abstract

Objectives: This study aims to explore body image disturbance (BID) in Chinese patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Patients and methods: A total of 211 RA patients (30 males, 181 females; mean age 50.4±12.4 years; range, 20 to 81 years) and 203 age-matched healthy subjects (26 males, 177 females; mean age 49.6±5.6 years; range, 34 to 64 years) were included in this study. Patients were assessed by Body Image Disturbance Questionnaire (BIDQ), Visual Analog Scale, Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index, disease activity score in 28 joints, Short Form 36 health survey, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale and erythrocyte sedimentation rate. Results: The mean disease duration of RA patients was 7.2±8.2 years. BID occurrence in RA patients was reported in 24.2% of the cases, which was significantly higher than the healthy subjects with 3%. Stepwise logistic regression analysis demonstrated that social function (p<0.05) and anxiety (p<0.01) explained higher BIDQ score. Conclusion: Body image disturbance was common in Chinese RA patients. Rheumatologists and nurses should attach great importance to BID in RA patients, particularly in those with poor social function and anxiety, by examining their physical limitations and psychological disability.

Orthorexia Nervosa Practices in Rheumatoid Arthritis: The DORA Study

“…In turn, this double burden may eventually initiate ON tendencies in an effort to “control” disease prognosis and improve health status. In parallel, GC use is common in RMD therapy, and is associated with greater body weight accumulation, being overweight and obese [ 49 , 50 ], which in turn, are related to poor body image perception, greater anxiety and body image disturbance [ 51 , 52 ]; all of these factors can gradually precipitate disordered eating behaviors.…”

A Structural Equation Model of Health-Related Quality of Life in Chinese Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis

“…Poor sleep quality is common in patients with RA and may lead to disease aggravation and decreased HRQoL. The prevalence of body image disturbance (BID) is 24.2%, and poor social functioning and anxiety are also present ( 14 ). Besides, increasing disease severity has been associated with worsening disability, pain, fatigue, QoL, and work and activity impairment ( 15 ).…”