Influence Of Sociodemographic And Clinical Factors In Health Related Quality Of Life In Patients Followed In A Rheumatology Day-Care Unit

Background The health-related quality of life (HRQL) is an important indicator of the burden of inflammatory rheumatic diseases (IRD). Their outcomes may also be affected by coexisting chronic conditions that can cause functional impairment and activity limitation with significant reductions in HRQL. Objectives To determine the health status and quality of life in patients with IRD followed in a rheumatology day-care unit and to identify associated demographic and disease-related parameters influencing it. Methods The Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) to assess impairment in daily activities due to illness and Short Form-36 (SF-36) to assess HRQL were applied to patients on day-care routine visits. Disease activity clinical measures (DAS28-ESR, ASDAS-PCR, mean pain on VAS) were collected according to the disease and the predominant involvement. A p value of Results A total of 84 patients were consecutively included, predominantly female (59.5%), with a mean age of 46.25±13.25 years (range 19-85) and a mean disease duration of 14.62±8.07 years (1-38). Thirty six (42.9%) patients had rheumatoid arthritis and 48 (57.1%) had spondylarthritis. Seventy seven (91.7%) patients with current bDMARDS, 51 (60.7%) also with cDMARDS and 19 (22.6%) with low doses corticosteroid treatment. Twenty four (28.6%) had associated hypertension, 4 (4.8%) diabetes and 10 (11.9%) dyslipidemia. The mean DAS28-ERS was 2.59±1.06 (0.53 to 6.94), median ASDAS-PCR 1.40±1.15 (0.20 to 5.50), mean pain on a VAS 3.77±2.58 (0 to 10), mean HAQ 0.76±0.71 (0 to 2.88) and mean SF-36 418.71±162.31 (103.50 to 707). Strong correlation ( p p p Conclusions Our findings suggest that not only the activity or duration of the disease, but also the gender, concomitant comorbidities and therapies can influence the HRQL and daily activities. The disease activity could be a determinant of disability but is important to incorporate coexisting conditions and demographic data in the evaluation of HRQL. Disclosure of Interest None declared