Evaluation of everyday routine changes caused by rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Differences between genders

Obrzud Marta, Gronek Anna. Evaluation of everyday routine changes caused by rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Differences between genders. Journal of Education, Health and Sport. 2018;8(4):451-469. eISSN 2391-8306. DOI http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.1250292

http://ojs.ukw.edu.pl/index.php/johs/article/view/5512

The journal has had 7 points in Ministry of Science and Higher Education parametric evaluation. Part B item 1223 (26.01.2017).

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© The Author (s) 2018;

This article is published with open access at Licensee Open Journal Systems of Kazimierz Wielki University in Bydgoszcz, Poland Open Access.

This is an open access article licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/) which permits unrestricted, non commercial use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the work is properly cited.

The authors declare that there is no conflict of interests regarding the publication of this paper.

Received: 16.04.2018. Revised 20.04.2018. Accepted: 30.04.2018.

Evaluation of everyday routine changes caused by rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Differences between genders

Marta Obrzud, Anna Gronek

Student Research Circle at the Internal Nursing Department, Faculty of Health Sciences, Wroclaw Medical University

Abstract

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, inflammatory systemic auto-immunologic disease that affects the connective tissue. It is characterized by non-specific symmetrical inflammation of the synovial membrane, articular changes, and organic complications. The illness causes damage of structural and functional integrity of the musculoskeletal system whose consequences are disability and premature death of the individuals [28].

In this thesis the focus was particularly put on the problem of the quality of life with rheumatoid arthritis and the process of rehabilitation and education of the individuals affected with this disease. The problem of the struggle with pain has been pointed out as a significant factor in clinical treatment. 50 patients with diagnosed rheumatoid arthritis of University Clinical Hospital were the subjects of study.

The study was performed using a special, self-designed questionnaire which assisted in analyzing four aspect of life: physical activity, work activity, social functions, and psychological condition of the patients. The conclusions suggest that this illness creates limitations in many spheres of life, and affects women more frequently. Pain and morning stiffness was the main problem reported by the studied individuals, as resulting in limitations in active work life, unattended activities and being dependent on other people. RA made patients limit their social contacts. The more the illness had progressed, the worse the quality of life became in all studied aspects, as reported by the studied patients.

Key words: rheumatoid arthritis, RA, gender.