Predictors of impaired quality of life in patients with rheumatic diseases

Abstract

Quality of life (QoL) is a complex outcome and rheumatologic patients typically exhibit several comorbidities with a negative impact. In this study, we analyzed with respect to QoL for the first time a wide range of physical and psychological factors, including individual, clinical and disease-related parameters, mental health disorders, sexual dysfunction, and cardiovascular comorbidities among consecutive rheumatologic patients. QoL was evaluated using the EuroQol 5D (EQ-5D) utility index. The Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) Disability Index, and the HAQ Pain Visual Analogue Scale were used as measures of physical disability and arthritis-related pain, respectively. The Hamilton Anxiety Scale and Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale, the International Index of Erectile Function and the Female Sexual Functioning Index were completed by all patients. In total, 360 patients were included, 301 females and 59 males. In the univariate analysis, pain, physical disability (p < 0.001 for both), disease duration (p = 0.014), anxiety and depression (p < 0.001 for both), as well as sexual dysfunction (p = 0.001 for females, p = 0.042 for males), correlated with QoL. Female sex (p < 0.001), advanced age (p = 0.029), lower educational level (p = 0.005), and cardiovascular factors (hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes, lack of systemic exercise) also appeared to negatively affect QoL. However, in the multiple regression model, only anxiety, pain, physical disability (p < 0.001 for all), and disease duration (p = 0.019) remained significant predictors of QoL. The emotional side and the disease-related physiological mode of rheumatic diseases appear as major independent correlates of QoL among rheumatologic patients, who may thus benefit the most from combined supportive psychological and pain-relieving interventions.

Perceptions of patients with rheumatic diseases on the impact on daily life and satisfaction with their medications: RHEU-LIFE, a survey to patients treated with subcutaneous biological products

“…This was also found using the EuroQol 5D (EQ-5D) utility index in a recent study on patients with different rheumatic diseases from rheumatology outpatient clinics. 13 Several studies have described a poorer response to pharmacological treatments of females than males with RA 14 , 15 or SpA. 16 , 17 Similarly, male gender has been found to be predictive for both response (BASDAI 50, ASAS 20, and ASAS 40) and treatment continuation in ax-SpA.…”

Quality of life and patient preferences among Danish patients with ulcerative colitis – results from a survey study

“…The impact of the disease on HRQoL is comparable to other diseases. In arthritis, a number of studies have demonstrated significantly lower quality of life compared to the general population both in patients with rheumatoid arthritis [33][34][35][36][37] and in those with psoriatic arthritis [38][39][40][41] . This underlines the need for new treatment options.…”

Uji Keandalan dan Kesahihan Kuesioner Kualitas Hidup Short Form 12 Berbahasa Indonesia pada Pasien Artritis Reumatoid

“…Anyfanti, dkk. 20 melakukan penelitian terhadap 360 pasien penderita penyakit reumatik yang juga memiliki penyakit kronik lainnya. Dari penelitian tersebut didapati bahwa beberapa penyakit kronik, yaitu diabetes melitus dan hipertensi, juga memengaruhi kualitas hidup, sehingga penafsiran hasil penilaian kualitas hidup pasien yang memiliki lebih dari satu penyakit kronik dengan menggunakan instrumen generik perlu dilakukan dengan lebih hati-hati.…”