The aim of this study was to evaluate and determine the relationships (if any) among pain, depression levels, fatigue, sleep quality, and quality of life in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) aged 65 years and over, and to compare the results with those of RA patients under 65 years of age.
The study included 52 patients with RA aged 65 years and over (Group 1) and 84 patients with RA under 65 years of age (Group 2). Pain, depression levels, fatigue, sleep quality, quality of life, and disease activity of all of the participants were evaluated using a visual analog scale (VAS), the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), the Checklist Individual Strength (CIS), the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), the Short Form-36 (SF-36), and the Disease Activity Score-28, respectively.
When the two groups were compared, higher scores for the VAS, BDI, total CIS, and PSQI were found in Group 1 compared to Group 2 (P = 0.003, P = 0.003, P = 0.007, and P = 0.001, respectively). The SF-36 subscales of the physical component summary and mental component summary were not statistically significantly different between the two groups (P > 0.05).
This study evaluated the situation in elderly patients with RA and showed that pain, depression level, fatigue, and sleep quality worsen with age.