Fatigue, Physical Function and Quality of Life in Relation to Disease Activity in Established Rheumatoid Arthritis

Abstract

Objectives: This study was intended to find out therelationship of fatigue, functional disability and Health-Related Quality Of Life (HRQOL) with disease activityin adult patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA)and to observe the effect of rehabilitation programme onthese parameters.Material and Methods: 106 patients participated and 96completed the study. Disease Activity Score-28 (DAS-28), visual analogue scale for pain and fatigue,Multidimensional Assessment of Fatigue Scale (MAF),Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ), AmericanCollege of Rheumatology revised criteria for functionalstatus classification, World Health Organization QualityOf Life instrument (WHOQOL-BREF) wereadministered. A comprehensive rehabilitation programmecomprising pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic therapywas continued for 6 months.Results: Mean VAS fatigue, DAS28 & HAQ scores were45.68, 5.14 and 1.16 respectively. Significant correlation(Pearson’s r =0.82, p<0.05; r=0.75, p<0.05; r=0.85,p=<0.05) between the disease activity and the value ofthe VAS Fatigue, Global Fatigue (MAF) and HAQ scorerespectively and inverse co-relation between quality oflife (QOL) domain scores and disease activity wereobserved. Similar results were also found in the final visit.Comprehensive rehabilitation reduced the disease activity,fatigue, functional disability and improved QOL.Conclusion: High fatigue level, disability, pain anddecreased QOL characterized RA disease activity.Reduction of DAS, Fatigue, HAQ scores with treatmentimproved QOL.

Keywords

• Quality of life
• Rheumatoid Arthritis