Need for Palliative Care in Patient with Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Cross-sectional Observational Study

OBJECTIVES: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic disorder causing inflammation in the joints and achieving remission is often the primary goal of physicians. We evaluated the suffering from RA and assessed the need for palliative care services in these patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional observational study was done in 100 adult RA cases who attended the outpatient department. The Disease Activity Score 28 (DAS28), Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index, depression, anxiety and stress score, Short Form 36 Health Survey and numeric rating scale were assessed. The relationship between DAS28 with the other parameters and scores was assessed using Spearman’s rho correlation coefficient. RESULTS: About 90% of patients in our study were female and majority (50%) had a moderate disease activity. The DAS28 showed a positive correlation with the degree of depression (r = 0.671, P = 0.000), anxiety (r = 0.609, P = 0.000) and stress levels (r = 0.474, P = 0.000). The patients with severe disease had a poor quality of life (QoL) [physical functioning (r = –0.737, P = 0.000); role limitation (r = –0.662, P = 0.000); emotional problem (r = –0.676, P = 0.000); energy/fatigue (r = –0.638, P = 0.000); social functioning (r = –0.658, P = 0.000); emotional well-being (r = –0.605, P = 0.000); general health (r = –0.643, P = 0.000); health change (r = –0.376, P = 0.000) and numerical rating scale score for pain (r = 0.656, P = 0.000)]. CONCLUSION: RA patients with high disease activity suffer from depression, anxiety, stress and poor QoL. Palliative care physicians and rheumatologists must be vested with the power to provide comprehensive care to these patients.