To assess the quality of life of patients with rheumatoid arthritis undergoing out-patient treatment with TNF inhibitors (etanercept and adalimumab).
Observational, descriptive and multi-centre study. A specific validated questionnaire was used (QOL-RA Scale) in its Spanish version, with complete confidentiality ensured. To measure the reliability of the results, the Cronbach Alpha Coefficient was used. A descriptive analysis was carried out to compare the results obtained with those obtained from studies in the USA and Colombia.
A total of 82 patients were selected who mainly consisted of married housewives who had not undergone any previous studies. The average amount of years from diagnosis was 11.81 years (SD: 7.30) and the average duration of treatment with TNF inhibitors was 1.71 years (SD: 1.03). The results of the questionnaire were: physical ability 5.42 (SD: 1.67), pain 5.10 (SD: 1.83), social life 7.08 (SD: 1.96), support 7.45 (SD: 2.10), mood 6.02 (SD: 2.03), stress 5.50 (SD: 2.01), arthritis 5.15 (SD: 1.86), health 5.50 (SD: 1.77). The results obtained were similar to those from the USA, although they showed a lower score for mood and stress categories. However, the high score in the support and social-life categories was more similar to that obtained with the Colombian questionnaire. All patients considered their quality of life to have improved with the use of TNF inhibitors.
The quality of life in patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis is low, determined by pain and symptoms of depression. The patients believe that TNF inhibitors have improved their quality of life.