scholarly journals Spirituality, well-being, and quality of life in people with rheumatoid arthritis

2003 ◽  
Vol 49 (6) ◽  
pp. 778-783 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan J. Bartlett ◽  
Ralph Piedmont ◽  
Andrew Bilderback ◽  
Alan K. Matsumoto ◽  
Joan M. Bathon
2021 ◽  
Vol 63 (2) ◽  
pp. 81-87
Author(s):  
Włodzisław Kuliński ◽  
Jakub Skuza

Introduction: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic and progressive inflammatory process resulting in the destruction of articular and periarticular tissues and leading to the development of functional impairment, permanent deformities and disability. RA affects approximately 1% of the global population and is more common in women than men. Aim: To assess the effects of physical therapy in RA patients. Material and Methods: The study assessed 21 patients with stage III/IV RA. They were managed with physical therapy, including thermotherapy, electrotherapy, laser therapy, magnetic field therapy and light therapy. The data collected in the study were statistically analysed. Results: After treatment, all study patients showed pain reduction, improved well-being, reduced duration of morning joint stiffness, improved ranges of motion in the joints and a better quality of life. Conclusions: 1. Rheumatoid arthritis is a difficult clinical and social problem. 2. The physical therapy used in the study reduced the pain experienced by the patients and the duration of morning joint stiffness and improved the ranges of motion and quality of life. 3. Physical therapy and rehabilitation constitute the main method of treatment of this disorder.


2013 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 91-100 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aggie Stewart

Objectives: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune, chronic inflammatory disorder that causes pain, swelling, stiffness, loss of joint function, and reduced quality of life. Yoga therapy may help individuals with RA manage stress and increase well-being. This study focused on the identification of therapeutic objectives and a methodology to achieve symptom relief, regain function, and enhance quality of life for individuals with RA. Methods: Four women with RA participated in private yoga therapy sessions for 2.5 months. Assessment based, tailored home practices were developed and modified to address participant - identified goals. Results: Participants reported decreased pain, fatigue, swelling, and flares; increased energy; pain-free range of motion and strength around affected joints; and a heightened sense of well-being. Conclusions: Tailored yoga therapy that emphasizes stress reduction may be beneficial for individuals with RA.


2018 ◽  
Vol 45 (6) ◽  
pp. 760-765 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cheryl Barnabe ◽  
Louise Crane ◽  
Tyler White ◽  
Brenda Hemmelgarn ◽  
Gilaad G. Kaplan ◽  
...  

Objective.To characterize patient-reported outcomes, resource use, and social participation during the course of biologic therapy for indigenous and non-indigenous patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).Methods.Patients initiating biologic therapy (2004 to 2012) were characterized longitudinally for patient-reported outcomes including physical function measured by the Health Assessment Questionnaire, EQ-5D, well-being [Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36 (SF-36)], and visual analog scales for pain, fatigue, sleep, stiffness, and patient’s global assessment. Resource use, participation in activities of daily living, and effect of RA on work productivity were also evaluated for change during therapy.Results.Indigenous patients (n = 90) presented with significantly worse scores for global evaluation, pain, sleep, quality of life, well-being, and physical function compared to non-indigenous patients (n = 1400). All patient-reported outcomes improved significantly during treatment for patients in both groups, but pain, sleep, and SF-36 physical health score changes occurred at slower rates for indigenous patients [difference in slopes 0.09 (p = 0.029), 0.08 (p = 0.043), and −0.35 (p = 0.03), respectively]. Performance of daily activities was affected for 50% of indigenous compared to 37% of non-indigenous patients, with more use of community services and assistance from others. Employed indigenous patients reported twice the number of days being unable to work owing to RA compared to employed non-indigenous patients. Of the unemployed indigenous patients, 82% indicated they had stopped working because of arthritis, versus 48% of non-indigenous patients (p < 0.0001).Conclusions.Indigenous patients have greater consequences of RA regarding experienced symptoms, health-related quality of life, disruption of performance of activities of daily living, and reduced employment participation.


2020 ◽  
Vol 62 (2) ◽  
pp. 77-81
Author(s):  
Włodzisław Kuliński ◽  
Aleksandra Dryja

Introduction: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the connective tissue that damages articular and periarticular tissue and leads to the development of permanent deformities and disability. Aim: To assess the quality of life of rheumatoid arthritis patients after treatment at a medical resort. M aterial and Methods: The study assessed 30 patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated at a medical hospital in Busko-Zdrój. The study group consisted of 18 women and 12 men over the age of 50 years. The patients underwent sulphide/hydrogen sulphide baths and physical therapy procedures. The data collected in the study was statistically analysed using Excel; calculations were performed with the SPSS Statistica 21.0 software. A chi-squared test was used to assess statistical correlations between variables. Results: After spa hospital treatment, all patients reported reduced pain, improved well-being, reduced duration of morning joint stiffness, and improved independence; the pain-free walking distance markedly increased. The treatment had a beneficial influence on the quality of life of study patients. Conclusions: 1. Rheumatoid arthritis is a difficult clinical and social problem. 2. The balneotherapy and physical therapy used in the study reduced the duration of morning joint stiffness and pain experienced by the patients. 3. The balneotherapy and physical therapy used in the study had a positive effect on the ability to ambulate, increasing the pain-free walking distance, and improving the quality of life.


BMJ Open ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. e018752 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katie L Druce ◽  
Lis Cordingley ◽  
Vicky Short ◽  
Susan Moore ◽  
Bruce Hellman ◽  
...  

IntroductionPeople with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) frequently report reduced health-related quality of life (HRQoL), the impact one’s health has on physical, emotional and social well-being. There are likely numerous causes for poor HRQoL, but people with RA have identified sleep disturbances as a key contributor to their well-being. This study will identify sleep/wake rhythm-associated parameters that predict HRQoL in patients with RA.Methods and analysisThis prospective cohort study will recruit 350 people with RA, aged 18 years or older. Following completion of a paper-based baseline questionnaire, participants will record data on 10 symptoms including pain, fatigue and mood two times a day for 30 days using a study-specific mobile application (app). A triaxial accelerometer will continuously record daytime activity and estimate evening sleep parameters over the 30 days. Every 10 days following study initiation, participants will complete a questionnaire that measures disease specific (Arthritis Impact Measurement Scale 2-Short Form (AIMS2-SF)) and generic (WHOQOL-BREF) quality of life. A final questionnaire will be completed at 60 days after entering the study. The primary outcomes are the AIMS2-SF and WHOQOL-BREF. Structural equation modelling and latent trajectory models will be used to examine the relationship between sleep/wake rhythm-associated parameters and HRQoL, over time.Ethics and disseminationResults from this study will be disseminated at regional and international conferences, in peer-reviewed journals and Patient and Public Engagement events, as appropriate.


1999 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 263-266 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. J. I. COLVILLE ◽  
K. S. NICHOLSON ◽  
H. J. C. R. BELCHER

The outcome in patients having surgery to the hand was assessed subjectively using a questionnaire that covered activities of daily living (ADL), hand pain and psychological well-being. The questionnaires were completed on average 6.9 months preoperatively and 20.6 months postoperatively by 15 patients with osteoarthritis undergoing trapeziectomy and 25 patients with rheumatoid arthritis undergoing Swanson arthroplasties of the metacarpophalangeal joints. Surgery resulted in significant improvements in reported ADL and hand pain, in both groups. Improvement in perception of hand function and health was only seen in the osteoarthritic group. There was no improvement in arthritis activity, mood or quality of life in either group. These results confirm that surgery for arthritis of the hand relieves pain and improves ADL. However, it has a greater effect in patients with localized osteoarthritis than in those with rheumatoid arthritis.


2019 ◽  
Vol 72 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-51 ◽  
Author(s):  
Svitlana Savka

Introduction: Somatic pathology of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) combined with nonpsychotic mental disorders (NMD) leads to deterioration in the quality of life. The aim: We aimed to examine the quality of life of patients with rheumatoid arthritis and nonpsychotic mental disorders. Materials and methods: We formed two clinical groups of observation of the patients with rheumatoid arthritis and nonpsychotic mental disorders. First group (GA) included participants with duration of RA for 1-5 years, second group (GB) included those with duration of RA for 5-10 years. For assessment we used the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD), Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety (HRSA) and the Quality of Life Index developed by J.E. Mezzich (QLI). All patients received basic treatment, as well as antidepressants, anxiolytics, vitamin therapy and psychotherapy, depending on the form of nonpsychotic mental disorders. Results: Study of the life quality showed that for the examined patients the quality of life was significantly lower in comparison with the control group. Mainly, for GA partners the overall assessment of life quality after treatment improved by 12,1% and the positive effect was probable. The greatest positive changes for the first group included increasing of physical well-being points by 2,5 and psychological/emotional well-being – by 2,1 points(p<0,05). Mainly, for GB patients overall quality of life improved by 14,9%. Major positive changes were identified in psychological/emotional well-being - 2,93 points, physical well-being by 2,47 points, self-care and independent functioning by 2,09 points, and disability which increased by 2,06 points (p <0,05) Conclusions: The patients with rheumatoid arthritis and nonpsychotic mental disorders have a significant decline in quality of life based on all indicators. The general assessment of the life quality of the first basic clinical group surveyed was 62,2 ± 1,33, while for the second basic clinical group surveyed – 57,0 ± 1,47. The increase in the duration of the RA disease significantly weakens the general working capacity by 0,83 points p<0,05, self-service and independence of the patients by 0,80 points, p<0,05, psychological and emotional well-being by 0,75 points, p<0,05, interpersonal interaction at 0,91 points, p<0,05.The overall quality of life of the patients with duration of RA for 1-5 years and NMD after treatment was 74,1% ± 0,93, for the patients with duration of RA for 5-10 years and NMD after treatment was 71,9% ± 1,20 (p <0,05).


GeroPsych ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 125-134
Author(s):  
Mechthild Niemann-Mirmehdi ◽  
Andreas Häusler ◽  
Paul Gellert ◽  
Johanna Nordheim

Abstract. To date, few studies have focused on perceived overprotection from the perspective of people with dementia (PwD). In the present examination, the association of perceived overprotection in PwD is examined as an autonomy-restricting factor and thus negative for their mental well-being. Cross-sectional data from the prospective DYADEM study of 82 patient/partner dyads (mean age = 74.26) were used to investigate the association between overprotection, perceived stress, depression, and quality of life (QoL). The analyses show that an overprotective contact style with PwD has a significant positive association with stress and depression, and has a negative association with QoL. The results emphasize the importance of avoiding an overprotective care style and supporting patient autonomy.


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