Validity and Reliability of the Thai Version of the 19-Item Compliance-Questionnaire-Rheumatology.

Purpose: To evaluate the psychometric properties and feasibility of the Thai version of Compliance-Questionnaire-Rheumatology (CQR)-19. Patients and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the Rheumatology clinic of Siriraj hospital from October 2020 to March 2022. Literate patients diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and aged ≥ 18 years old were included. Participants completed the Thai CQR-19 at baseline and during a follow-up visit. A pill count at the follow-up visit indicating that ≤ 80% of prescribed pills were taken was defined as poor compliance. Feasibility was assessed by the time to completion and the number of missing questions. Results: 156 participants were enrolled and 88% were in good compliance. The sensitivity of the CQR-19 to detect good compliance was 78.2% and the specificity was 27.8%. The Thai CQR-19 showed moderate agreement (Gwet's AC1= 0.61, p < 0.01) with 72.2% agreement against pill counts. The Thai CQR-19 had good internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.83) with moderate test-retest reliability (intraclass coefficients = 0.64, 95% CI 0.54-0.73; p < 0.05). There was a weak correlation between the Thai CQR-19 and disease activity (rs = 0.20, p < 0.05), and no correlation with functional disability (rs = 0.09, p = 0.25). The median (IQR) completion time was 4.42 (3.25-6.16) minutes and 114 (73%) completed all 19 questions. Conclusion: The Thai version of CQR-19 is a valid and reliable tool to assess medication compliance in Thai patients with RA. To ensure completeness and accuracy, this questionnaire may be administered by interview.

Prevalence of and factors associated with depression and anxiety in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: A multicenter prospective cross-sectional study.

AIM: To investigate the prevalence of and factors associated with depression and anxiety in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: This prospective cross-sectional study included patients who were consecutively enrolled in the Siriraj Rheumatoid Arthritis Registry or the Thai Army Rheumatoid Arthritis Cohort during the September 2016 to March 2018 study period. Demographic data and clinical variables, including disease activity, functional status, health-related quality of life, and cognitive function, were collected. Depression and anxiety were assessed using the Thai version of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (Thai HADS). RESULTS: Four hundred and sixty-four patients were included. Mean age was 59 years, median disease duration was 9.9 years, and 85% of patients were female. Based on the Thai HADS cutoff value of 8 or higher, 12.5% and 14.5% of patients had some degree of depression and anxiety, respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed global health score (risk ratio [RR]: 0.98, P = .001) to be the only factor independently negatively associated with depression. Regarding anxiety, functional disability (RR: 2.46, P = .004) and married status (RR: 2.43, P = .009) were significantly associated with increased risk, whereas disease duration of 10 years or more (RR: 0.45, P = .007) and global health score (RR: 0.97, P < .001) were significantly associated with decreased risk of developing anxiety. CONCLUSION: Depression and anxiety are common in patients with RA. Patients' perceptions of their current health are significantly related to mood disorders. Therefore, mental health status, especially mood disturbances, should be addressed in routine practice to improve quality of life in RA.

Health-related quality of life in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

BACKGROUND: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic systemic autoimmune disease that primarily affects joints with some extraarticular involvement. If inappropriately treated, it usually results in persistent joint pain, irreversible deformities, and functional disability, leading to poor quality of life. Our objective was to evaluate health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and related factors in patients with RA. METHODS: Four hundred sixty-four patients from the Rheumatoid Arthritis registries of Siriraj and Phramongkutklao teaching hospitals were enrolled. Sociodemographic, clinical and laboratory data related to disease activity, and functional status were collected. HRQoL was assessed using the Thai version of EuroQol five dimensional questionnaire (EQ-5D) and EQ global health visual analogue scale (EQ VAS). Univariate and multivariate analyses were employed to identify factors related to HRQoL. RESULTS: Eighty-five percent were female with a mean age ± SD of 59.15 ± 11.43 years and a mean disease duration ± SD of 11.53 ± 8.3 years. The mean educational level ± SD was 9.42 ± 5.21 years. Almost half were unemployed or retired (47%). They had moderate disease activity (mean cumulative DAS28 ± SD, 3.5 ± 0.8) and mild functional impairment (mean HAQ ± SD, 0.70 ± 0.68). The mean EQ-5D ± SD (0-1) was 0.87 ± 0.13 and mean EQ VAS ± SD (0-10) was 7.94 ± 1.7. Based on the EQ-5D domain, 49% reported that they had no problem with mobility, 83% had no difficulties with self-care, 65% had no difficulties with usual activity, 30% had no pain or discomfort, and 61% had no depression or anxiety. The relationship between problems of each dimension in EQ-5D significantly increased according to severity of RA assessed by the Disease Activity Score (DAS) 28 and Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) (p <  0.01). In multivariate analyses, high cumulative disease activity, functional disability, depression, and anxiety were negatively associated with EQ-5D (adjusted R 2 0.38, p <  0.001) and EQ VAS (adjusted R 2 0.19, p <  0.001). CONCLUSION: Disease severity and psychological disturbance have a negative impact on quality of life in patients with RA. These factors should be considered in management of RA patients to improve the standard of care.

Disease activity and functional status associated with health-related quality of life and patient-acceptable symptom state in patients with psoriatic arthritis in Thailand: A cross-sectional study.

AIM: To identify factors associated with the EuroQol-5 Dimensions-5 levels (EQ-5D-5L) and patient acceptable symptom state (PASS) and to estimate health utility (HU) in Thai patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA). METHODS: A cross-sectional study of consecutive PsA patients visiting Siriraj Hospital was performed between 31 May, 2012 and 31 March, 2016. Data of patient demographics, HU outcomes (Thai EQ-5D-5L), disease activity (Disease Activity Index for Psoriatic Arthritis [DAPSA], the Clinical DAPSA [cDAPSA], the minimal disease activity [MDA]), and the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) were collected. Regression analyses were used to explore factors associated with each EQ-5D domain, HU, and PASS. RESULTS: Of 129 PsA patients, the mean age was 47.6 years; 53.5% were male. The mean HU was 0.76. Univariable analysis showed lower disease activity and less impaired function were significantly associated with higher HU and no to mild problem in each EQ-5D domain. Multivariable analysis showed HAQ and disease activity indices (cDAPSA, DAPSA, MDA) adjusting for age, had good goodness-of-fit to HU (adjusted R2 : 0.63-0.65). Patients answering "yes" to PASS had significantly longer disease duration of PsA, higher HU, lower disease activity, less disability, and were more often married than those answering "no" to PASS. Pain problem was the most important association to PASS adjusting for other domains and age. CONCLUSIONS: Disease activity and functional status in PsA patients were significant factors related to HU and PASS. To improve quality of life, the goal of treatment should be achieving remission, improving function, and controlling pain.

Relationship Between Health-Related Quality of Life and Patient Acceptable Symptom State With Disease Activity and Functional Status in Patients With Ankylosing Spondylitis in Thailand.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to identify factors associated with EuroQoL-5 Dimensions, 5 Levels and Patient Acceptable Symptom State (PASS) and health utility (HU) in Thai patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study of consecutive AS patients visiting Siriraj Hospital between May 31, 2012, and March 31, 2016. Demographic data and outcomes related to HU (Thai version of EuroQoL-5 Dimensions, 5 Levels), disease activity (Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index, Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score-erythrocyte sedimentation rate or Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score-C-reactive protein, number of tender and swollen joints, and enthesitis), and functional status (Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index and Health Assessment Questionnaire) were collected. Regression analysis was used to explore factors associated with each EuroQOL-5 Dimensions (EQ-5D) domain, HU, and PASS. RESULTS: Among 119 AS patients, the mean age was 40.4 years; 61.3% were male. The mean EQ-5D was 0.75. In univariate analysis, lower disease activity and less impaired function were significantly associated with higher HU and not to mild problems in each EQ-5D domain. In multivariate regression analysis, Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index, C-reactive protein, and Health Assessment Questionnaire adjusting for age explained 77.4% of the HU variance. Patients answering yes to PASS were significantly older, had higher HU, and lower disease activity compared with those answering no to PASS. Usual activity and pain problems were importantly related to PASS after adjusting for other domains and age. CONCLUSIONS: Disease activity and functional status in AS patients were significant factors related to HU and PASS. To improve quality of life, treatment goals should be achieving remission, improving function, and controlling pain.