[impact of signs and symptoms on the quality of life in patients with rheumatoid arthritis referred to the hospitals of Tehran University of Medical Sciences in year 2005]

Rheumatoid arthritis is one of the most common chronic diseases of unknown cause leading to significant disabilities especially in the adult patients. The physical signs and symptoms of this chronic disease can considerably affect the patients' quality of life. In this relationship survey, 190 randomly selected patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The data were collected through self-reports, interview and observation by questionnaire, and using the pain and fatigue severity scales, which consisted of eight items. Statistical analyses using descriptive and inferential methods were performed by SPSS software [version 11.5]. The results showed that the quality of life was high to moderate in half of the subjects [%50] and low in the other 50%. The status of physical dimensions, socio-economic, mental, sleep and rest, and general health was high to moderate in 50% and low in the other 50% of patients. The intensities of pain, fatigue, anxiety, and depression were severe in most cases, but the disability in mobility was mild. There was a significant relationship between intensity of pain, intensity of fatigue, disability in mobility, intensity of anxiety, intensity of depression and the quality of life. The results showed that the quality of life in half of the subjects [50%] was low. There was a significant relationship between pain, fatigue, disability in mobility, anxiety and depression and the quality of life

[Quality of life in rheumatoid arthritis patients]

Rheumatoid arthritis is one of the most common chronic diseases with unknown causes and it is the most important cause of disability especially in adulthood that can have a considerable impact on patients' quality of life. This is a cross-sectional study. One hundred and ninety patients with rheumatoid arthritis referred to rheumatology clinic and rheumatology wards of Tehran university of Medical sciences' hospitals were randomly selected. The data were collected using a two-section questionnaire including demographic and disease characteristics, and quality of life questions. All analyzes were carried out using SPSS statistical software. The result showed that quality of life of%50 of patients was high and moderate and the other 50% had low quality of life. Approximately 50% of the patients reported that they have no problem in their physical, socio-economic, mental, sleep and rest, and general health regarding rheumatoid arthritis. There were significant relationships between age, marital status, employment, duration of the disease, physiotherapy, and family income with the quality of life. The results showed that quality of life in half of the patients [%50] was low. Determining the patients' quality of life result in designing proper programs and strategies for prevention and control of the disease that result in promoting quality of life