Evaluation of Quality of Life and Functional Status in Elderly Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Objective: This study was conducted to evaluate quality of life, functional status and pain in elderly patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods: The sample of this study consisted of 229 outpatients followed up in the rheumatology department of a hospital with a diagnosis of RA and those over 65 years old who were treated in the internal medicine clinic of the same hospital. Research data were collected using a Personal Introduction Form, the Disease Activity score 28 (DAS-28), the Numerical Pain Assessment Scale, the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) and the SF-36 Quality of Life scale. Results: The physical conditions of the non-RA elderly individuals were statistically worse compared to those with RA (p=0.01). There was a significant negative correlation between patient age and visual analog score, physical function, physical role limitations, emotional role limitations and social functionality subscale scores, and a significant positive correlation between age and HAQ scores (p<0.05). Conclusion: In the study, elderly patients with RA had fewer physical limitations in daily activities and their severity of pain was not different than that of adult patients with RA. The physical and social functionality of the elderly who had received treatment due to a chronic disease other than RA had lower physical and social functionality, but their quality of life was better.