Quality of life and influencing factors of patients with rheumatoid arthritis in Northeast China

PURPOSE: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a disease with a high disability rate, resulting in severe family and social burden. The aim of treatment is to improve the health-related quality of life (QoL) of patients. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the QoL of patients with RA in Northeast China and analyze its influencing factors. METHODS: The study group consisted of 200 patients diagnosed with RA. The control group consisted of 200 healthy subjects. All subjects were residents in Northeast China. The investigation was conducted by questionnaire survey and electronic medical record. The WHOQOL-BREF, The Short-Form 36 Health Survey (SF-36) and Quality of Life Instruments for Chronic Diseases-RA (QLICD-RA) were used as questionnaires. RESULTS: The QoL scores acquired by SF-36, WHOQOL-BREF and QLICD-RA scales showed significant differences between RA and control groups (P < 0.001). Multiple regression analysis showed that sleep duration (P = 0.001), psychological counseling (P < 0.001) and C4 level (P = 0.001) influenced the SF-36 scale evaluation model. IgA levels (P < 0.001) and being overweight (P = 0.030) were included in the WHOQOL-BREF evaluation model. Adequate sleep (P = 0.001) and psychological counseling(P = 0.050) entered the QLICD-RA scale evaluation model (P = 0.050), in which psychological counseling, normal C4 levels and being overweight were protective factors for RA, insufficient sleep and IgA levels were risk factors for RA. CONCLUSIONS: The QoL of RA patients is generally lower than those of healthy subjects in the Northeast China, Northeast China. Sleep duration, BMI (Body mass index), psychological counseling, C4 and IgA levels are factors that influence the QoL scores of RA patients.