Measuring quality of life in rheumatic conditions

Musculoskeletal disorders often have associated pain, functional impairment and work disability, and, not surprisingly, are the most common reasons for utilizing healthcare resources. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and fibromyalgia (FM) are causes of musculoskeletal pain and disability. Research indicates that there is a widespread impact of RA and FM on physical, psychological and social factors in affected individuals, and thus, outcome measures that encompass multiple aspects of quality of life are needed. Generic measures of quality of life identify associations between physical conditions and mental health and highlight the need to address psychological functioning to ultimately improve the individuals’ quality of life.     

Validation of a rheumatoid arthritis health‐related quality of life instrument,the CSHQ‐RA

Objective

To test the validity and reliability of a newly developed disease‐specific multidimensional quality of life instrument: the Cedars‐Sinai Health‐Related Quality of Life Instrument (CSHQ‐RA).

Methods

A total of 350 rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients were asked to complete the CSHQ‐RA at 2 time points (4 weeks apart). Patients also completed the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 36 (SF‐36) and the Stanford Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) Disability Index (DI) at the second time point. Construct validity was tested, using Pearson's correlations, by comparing subscale scores on the CSHQ‐RA to those obtained from the mental component summary (MCS) and physical component summary (PCS) of the SF‐36. HAQ DI scores were used to assess the discriminant validity of the CSHQ‐RA. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) were used to assess test–retest reliability.

Results

Response rates for the first and second survey were 83% (291) and 93% (276), respectively; 84% of respondents were women, and mean age was 57 years. Mean scores ± SDs on instruments were: HAQ 0.73 ± 0.69; MCS 49 ± 12; and PCS 33 ± 11. Pearson's correlations between the CSHQ‐RA subscale scores and the SF‐36 scores ranged from 0.55 to 0.76 (P < 0.001). Analysis of variance indicate that scores on the CSHQ‐RA discriminated between levels of physical disability as measured by the HAQ (P < 0.001). Test–retest reliability was demonstrated in the instrument's subscale scores (ICC 0.70–0.90).

Conclusion

These results support the construct validity, discriminant validity, and reliability of the CSHQ‐RA as a measure that captures the impact of RA on patients' health‐related quality of life.

     

Development and validation of the revised Cedars‐Sinai health‐related quality of life for rheumatoid arthritis instrument

Objective

To improve accuracy and content coverage of the original 33‐item Cedars‐Sinai Health‐Related Quality of Life for Rheumatoid Arthritis Instrument (CSHQ‐RA).

Methods

A total of 312 RA patients from 55 sites were screened in a 24‐week trial. Patients completed an expanded 48‐item version of the CSHQ‐RA, Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 36 (MOS SF‐36), and Stanford Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) Disability Index at 5 visits. The revised CSHQ‐RA was created based on response frequencies and distributions, item‐to‐item correlation, factor and Rasch analysis, and input from experts. Psychometric evaluation included internal consistency, test–retest reliability, convergent and discriminant validity, and responsiveness. Minimum clinically important difference (MCID) was also measured.

Results

Response rates were 93% at baseline and 71% at 12 weeks. Eighty‐one percent of respondents at baseline were women, mean ± SD age was 52 ± 12 years, and mean ± SD duration of RA was 10.8 ± 10.4 years. The revised CSHQ‐RA included 36 items measuring 7 domains (4 original and 3 new). All Cronbach's alpha coefficients were >0.8, indicating good internal consistency. Test–retest reliability measured intraclass correlation coefficients, which ranged from 0.86 to 0.95. All 7 domains correlated significantly with the MOS SF‐36 and HAQ, indicating good convergent validity. Analysis of variance of disability group scores showed good discriminant validity (P < 0.0001). The MCIDs ranged from 6.2 for social well‐being to 14.8 for pain/discomfort.

Conclusion

The revised CSHQ‐RA was validated using a broader RA patient population. It captures 3 additional domains (social well‐being, pain/discomfort, and fatigue), which allow for measuring all important aspects of health‐related quality of life.

     

Performance of a generic health-related quality of life measure in a clinic population with rheumatic disease

OBJECTIVE: To assess the performance of a generic health-related quality of life (HRQOL) measure in a rheumatology clinic population. METHODS: Participants (n = 619) with fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, or osteoarthritis receiving care from rheumatologists completed mailed questionnaires that included the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) HRQOL measure and condition-specific measures assessing disability, pain, fatigue, and helplessness. The BRFSS assesses global health and number of days in the past 30 of poor physical or mental health or activity limitation. The overall sample was described, followed by comparison of adjusted scores on all HRQOL measures by diagnosis. RESULTS: Participants reported mild difficulty with activities of daily living, marked pain and fatigue, and moderate helplessness. Participants reported a mean of 8 or more days out of 30 of poor physical and mental health and activity limitations; more than 40% reported poor or fair health. Participants with fibromyalgia reported more ill health on condition-specific measures and the BRFSS HRQOL measures than did participants with osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis. CONCLUSION: The BRFSS HRQOL measure is a brief, easily administered, generic health indicator that shows differences among rheumatic disease diagnoses.     

The evaluation of quality of life in fibromyalgia syndrome: a comparison with rheumatoid arthritis by using SF-36 Health Survey

Musculoskeletal disorders are the most common causes of deterioration in quality of life (QOL). We in this study aimed to assess (1) the impact of fibromyalgia syndrome (FS) on QOL comparing with that of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and control subjects and (2) the impact of these two musculoskeletal disorders on various components of QOL using SF-36 Health Survey. Thirty-five patients with RA, 30 patients with FS, and 30 voluntary control subjects were included in the study. The groups were comparable in terms of demographic characteristics. QOL was evaluated by using Short-Form (SF)-36 Health Survey in all study participants, and Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ), which is a specific health-status instrument for FS, was used in FS patients. Physical functioning, physical role, social functioning, bodily pain, general health, vitality, emotional role, and mental health scores were significantly lower in RA and FS patients than in control subjects (p<0.05). The between-groups comparisons revealed that FS patients had significantly lower mental health scores than RA patients (49.87 vs 62.51, respectively), (p<0.001). Total FIQ score correlated significantly with physical functioning, physical role, and bodily pain in FS patients. All parameters of SF-36 Health Survey except for social functioning correlated significantly with some of the variables of FIQ. FS has a negative impact on QOL, like RA. Furthermore, mental health was more severely affected in FS patients when compared with RA patients.     

Health-related quality of life in patients with common rheumatic diseases referred to a university clinic

The aim of the present study was to assess the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with common rheumatic diseases referred to a rheumatology clinic and to compare it to the HRQoL of the general population. All patients with a new referral to the Department of Rheumatology of the Helsinki University Central Hospital were asked to participate in the study during the period from May 2002 to April 2003. A total of 295 patients with various rheumatic diseases were included in the analysis: 99 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), 47 with arthralgia and fibromyalgia, 43 with other chronic arthritis (spondyloarthritis, psoriatic arthritis, enteropathic arthritis), 44 with osteoarthritis (OA), 22 with active reactive arthritis (ReA), 17 with systemic rheumatic diseases, 9 adults with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and 14 with other diagnoses. HRQoL was measured by a disease specific instrument, the Stanford health assessment questionnaire (HAQ) and by a generic instrument, 15D. The mean baseline 15D score of the 295 included patients (0.822, SD 0.114) was significantly lower than of the general population (0.903, SD 0.098). Patients with OA and chronic arthritis reported the poorest HRQoL scores (both 0.810 on a 0-1 scale). In patients with RA and ReA the 15D score improved in a statistically significant and clinically important manner during the 8-month follow-up. Discomfort and symptoms caused by the disease were alleviated in a statistically significant manner in patients with RA as well as in those with arthralgia and fibromyalgia, chronic arthritis, ReA and systemic rheumatic diseases. HAQ score improved significantly in patients with RA, arthralgia and fibromyalgia, and ReA. The HRQoL of patients with common rheumatic diseases at referral to rheumatology clinic is significantly lower than the HRQoL of age-standardized general population. The most affected patients are those with OA, chronic arthritis and RA. A significant improvement in HRQoL with conventional interventions was achieved in patients with RA and ReA.     

Impact of fibromyalgia pain on health‐related quality of life before and after treatment with tramadol/acetaminophen

Objective

To assess health‐related quality of life (HRQOL) in patients with moderate‐to‐severe fibromyalgia pain compared with the general population, and to assess the relationship between pain severity and HRQOL before and after treatment with an analgesic.

Methods

Data were obtained from a randomized, double‐blind study of patients with moderate‐to‐severe fibromyalgia pain. Patients received either tramadol/acetaminophen or placebo 4 times/day as needed for 91 days. HRQOL was measured with the Short Form 36 Health Survey (SF‐36) and the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ). Baseline HRQOL scores were compared with a national sample of noninstitutionalized adults and a sample of patients with impaired HRQOL due to congestive heart failure. Patients with fibromyalgia were divided into tertiles by change in pain severity, and SF‐36 scores were compared across the tertiles. Mean changes in SF‐36 and FIQ scores were compared between treatment groups.

Results

Patients with fibromyalgia scored lower than the US norm on all SF‐36 scales (P < 0.0001) and lower than patients with congestive heart failure on most scales. More severe pain was associated with greater impairment of HRQOL compared with less severe pain (P < 0.0001). Patients in the highest tertile for improved pain severity had greater improvement in HRQOL scores than patients in the lower tertiles. Compared with patients who received placebo (n = 157), patients treated with tramadol/acetaminophen (n = 156) showed greater improvement on SF‐36 physical functioning, role physical, bodily pain, and physical summary scales, as well as FIQ scales for ability to do job, pain, and stiffness (P < 0.01).

Conclusion

Moderate‐to‐severe fibromyalgia pain significantly impairs HRQOL, and effective pain relief in these patients significantly increases HRQOL.

     

A comparative evaluation of health related quality of life and depression in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome and rheumatoid arthritis

The aim of this study was to compare health related quality of life (HRQoL) and assess functional and psychological status in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), fibromyalgia syndrome (FS) patients and controls (each 30 subjects). Demographic characteristics, pain and sleep disturbance by Visual Analog Scale, depression by Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), disease impact by fibromyalgia impact questionnaire, DAS-28, and HRQoL by SF-36 were gathered. The FS group scored significantly worser than the RA group with respect to physical role, social functioning and bodily pain subscales of SF-36. The scores of all SF-36 subscales were significantly lower in FS and RA patients than controls except mental health score. All of the subscales of SF-36 were negatively correlated with BDI scores in FS patients. In RA group, the DAS-28 scores were inversely correlated with all of SF-36 subscales. In conclusion, presence of comorbid depression must be taken into account when determining HRQoL in FS and RA. Essentials improving the HRQoL are management of depression in FS and control of disease activity in RA.     

Assessment of factors influencing health‐related quality of life in HIV‐infected patients

Objectives

Health‐related quality of life (HRQL) is used in the assessment of chronic illness. Regarding HIV infection, HRQL assessment is an objective for physicians and institutions since antiretroviral treatment delays HIV clinical progression. The aim of this study was to determine the factors with the most influence on HRQL in HIV‐infected people and to create a predictive model.

Methods

We conducted a cross‐sectional study in 150 patients in a tertiary hospital. HRQL data were collected using the Medical Outcomes Study HIV Health Survey (MOS‐HIV) questionnaire. The research team created a specific template with which to gather clinical and sociodemographic data. Adherence was assessed using the Simplified Medication Adherence Questionnaire (SMAQ) and depression data were obtained using the Beck Depression Inventory, Second Edition (BDI‐II) inventory. Logistic regression models were used to identify determinants of HRQL.

Results

HIV‐related symptoms and presence of depression were found to be negatively associated with all the MOS‐HIV domains, the Physical Health summary score and the Mental Health summary score. Patients receiving protease inhibitor (PI)‐based treatment had lower scores in four of the 11 domains of the MOS‐HIV questionnaire. Gender, hospitalization in the year before enrolment, depression and parenthood were independently related to the Physical Health Score; depression and hepatitis C virus coinfection were related to the Mental Health Score.

Conclusions

Optimization of HRQL is particularly important now that HIV infection can be considered a chronic disease with the prospect of long‐term survival. Quality of life should be monitored in follow‐up of HIV‐infected patients. The assessment of HRQL in this population can help us to detect problems that may influence the progression of the disease. This investigation highlights the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to HIV infection.     

Impact of fatigue on health‐related quality of life in rheumatoid arthritis

Objective

To multidimensionally assess fatigue in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and to evaluate the impact of fatigue on health‐related quality of life (HRQOL).

Methods

The study was conducted in 1999 among 490 RA patients with varying disease duration. Fatigue was measured with the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory (MFI‐20) and HRQOL with a validated Dutch version of the RAND 36‐Item Health Survey. We evaluated the impact of fatigue on HRQOL by multiple linear regression analyses taking into account RA‐related pain and depressive symptoms.

Results

Different aspects of fatigue selectively explained different dimensions of HRQOL. The MFI‐20 was entered last to the linear regression models, resulting in an additional increase of explained variance of 1% (mental health) to 14% (vitality).

Conclusion

The multidimensional portrayal of RA‐related fatigue can be used to develop intervention strategies targeted to specific aspects of fatigue. Fatigue, supplementary to RA‐related pain and depressive symptoms, appears to be a feasible and treatable target in the clinical management of RA to increase HRQOL.

     

Exercise in waist‐high warm water decreases pain and improves health‐related quality of life and strength in the lower extremities in women with fibromyalgia

Objective

To evaluate the short‐ and long‐term efficacy of exercise therapy in a warm, waist‐high pool in women with fibromyalgia.

Methods

Thirty‐four women (mean ± SD tender points 17 ± 1) were randomly assigned to either an exercise group (n = 17) to perform 3 weekly sessions of training including aerobic, proprioceptive, and strengthening exercises during 12 weeks, or to a control group (n = 17). Maximal unilateral isokinetic strength was measured in the knee extensors and flexors in concentric and eccentric actions at 60°/second and 210°/second, and in the shoulder abductors and adductors in concentric contractions. Health‐related quality of life (HRQOL) was assessed using the EQ‐5D questionnaire; pain was assessed on a visual analog scale. All were measured at baseline, posttreatment, and after 6 months.

Results

The strength of the knee extensors in concentric actions increased by 20% in both limbs after the training period, and these improvements were maintained after the de‐training period in the exercise group. The strength of other muscle actions measured did not change. HRQOL improved by 93% (P = 0.007) and pain was reduced by 29% (P = 0.012) in the exercise group during the training, but pain returned close to the pretraining level during the subsequent de‐training. However, there were no changes in the control group during the entire period.

Conclusion

The therapy relieved pain and improved HRQOL and muscle strength in the lower limbs at low velocity in patients with initial low muscle strength and high number of tender points. Most of these improvements were maintained long term.

     

Health‐related quality of life of patients with psoriatic arthritis: A comparison with patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Objective

To compare health‐related quality of life (QOL) between patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), using the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form health survey (SF‐36) and the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ).

Methods

Both the SF‐36 and the HAQ were administered to 107 PsA patients attending the University of Toronto Psoriatic Arthritis Clinic between January 1 and December 31, 1994, and to 43 RA patients attending a University of Toronto–affiliated RA clinic during the same period. Standardized assessments of disease activity and severity were also performed at each clinic visit. Logistic regression analysis was used to compare health‐related QOL between PsA and RA.

Results

Both patient populations experienced lower physical health compared with that of a general population sample. The RA patients demonstrated more active inflammatory disease at the time of assessment than the PsA patients. The PsA patients were younger, and more were men. Logistic regression analyses showed that patients with PsA reported higher levels of vitality than patients with RA, even after adjusting for the observed differences in clinical and demographic characteristics. PsA patients, however, reported more role limitations due to emotional problems and more bodily pain after adjusting for the difference in vitality and other covariates.

Conclusions

Although both patient populations experienced reduced QOL, there were some meaningful differences in how the 2 conditions affect health‐related QOL. Further, it appeared that there may be unique disabilities associated with the psoriasis dimension of PsA.

     

Health‐related quality of life in women with symptomatic hand osteoarthritis: A comparison with rheumatoid arthritis patients,healthy controls,and normative data

Objective

Data on the burden of disease and impact on health‐related quality of life (HRQOL) in hand osteoarthritis (OA) are limited. The goal of this study was to compare HRQOL in patients with hand OA with HRQOL in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), healthy controls, and normative data from the general population.

Methods

A total of 190 women with hand OA were compared with 194 women with RA and 144 healthy women of the same age. Health status was measured using the Short Form 36 (SF‐36), Short Form 6D (SF‐6D), modified Health Assessment Questionnaire (M‐HAQ), pain and fatigue visual analog scales, and grip strength. Scores were compared by analysis of variance and a multivariate analysis of covariance, adjusting for age, number of comorbidities, and years of education. Gaps between patients and population subjects were assessed by calculating S scores on all dimensions of the SF‐36.

Results

Hand OA and RA patients had worse scores on all assessed dimensions of subjective health compared with healthy controls. RA patients showed poorest general health (SF‐36), poorest physical function (M‐HAQ, SF‐36 physical, grip strength), and highest level of fatigue compared with hand OA patients. Hand OA patients reported poorer mental health. Mean utility scores (SF‐6D) in hand OA and RA were 0.64 and 0.63, respectively, with a mean difference compared with healthy controls of 0.13 in hand OA and 0.14 in RA patients. S scores confirmed a marked disparity between individuals with a rheumatic diagnosis (hand OA, RA) and population subjects.

Conclusion

This study illustrates that patients with hand OA experience a broad impact on HRQOL compared with healthy controls. Fatigue and physical function are worse in RA than hand OA.     

Role of diet in rheumatic disease

Millions of people suffer from rheumatic diseases such as gout, fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis. These can be incapacitating and detrimental to quality of life. Diet, nutrition, and weight loss have shown promise in alleviating some of this disease burden. These lifestyle changes may give patients a feeling of control and ownership over their disease as well as a nonpharmacologic means of treatment. This article reviews the available research on the effects of diet and nutrition on rheumatoid disease.     

Spirituality,well‐being,and quality of life in people with rheumatoid arthritis

Objective

To evaluate spirituality, well‐being, and quality of life (QOL) among people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods

Questionnaires assessing positive and negative affect, depression, QOL and spirituality were completed. Disease activity was assessed by rheumatologic examination.

Results

Women (n = 62) had a mean (± SD) age of 53.0 (± 13.0) years with 12 (± 13) swollen and tender joints (STJ). Men (n = 15) were 61.9 (± 13.0) years with 7 (± 11) STJ. Disease activity was associated (P < 0.05) positively with depression (r = 0.23), pain (r = 0.26), poorer self‐ratings of health (r = 0.29) and physical role limitations (r = 0.26). Spirituality was associated directly with positive affect (r = 0.26) and higher health perceptions (r = 0.29). In multiple regression, spirituality was an independent predictor of happiness and positive health perceptions, even after controlling disease activity and physical functioning, for age and mood.

Conclusion

Spirituality may facilitate emotional adjustment and resilience in people with RA by experiencing more positive feelings and attending to positive elements of their lives.

     

Domains of health‐related quality of life important to patients with giant cell arteritis

Objective

To determine aspects of quality of life (QOL) important to people with giant cell arteritis (GCA).

Methods

We explored the domains of QOL affected by GCA in audiotaped focus groups. We then created an Importance Rating Questionnaire (IRQ) by constructing questions related to the domains most frequently mentioned. Of 214 GCA patients to whom the IRQ was sent, 145 (68%) responded. We calculated frequencies of responses and then ranked items by the proportion selecting the top category of importance and also according to a mean item rank. We compared the domains of QOL covered by the IRQ with those in the Short Form 12 (SF‐12).

Results

The highest rated QOL item was “losing sight in both eyes permanently.” Of the top 20 items, 12 were in domains not covered directly by the SF‐12.

Conclusion

We have identified aspects of QOL important to GCA patients. Assessment of QOL in GCA should include vision and other domains that are not included in standard QOL questionnaires.

     

Obesity is independently associated with impaired quality of life in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Obesity is a modifiable major cause of morbidity and mortality in the general population, but little is known about the association of obesity and quality of life in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Thus, we set out a study to test the hypothesis that obesity is independently associated with lower quality of life in patients with RA. Three hundred and fifty nine patients with RA underwent an interview, physical exam, and all clinical charts were reviewed. Based on body mass index (BMI), patients were classified as normal (BMI < 25 kg/m(2)), overweight (BMI = 25-29.9 kg/m(2)), and obese (BMI > or = 30 kg/m(2)). Quality of life was quantified with the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 36 (SF-36). Data obtained included demographic variables, extra-articular disease, comorbidities, presence of X-ray erosions, rheumatoid factor, and depression. The association between obesity and quality of life was examined with the use of multiple lineal regression models. One hundred and seventy-two patients (47.9%) had normal BMI, 126 (35.1%) were overweight, and 61 patients (17%) were obese. Obese patients had lower quality of life (30.8 +/- 18.1) than overweight patients (43.3 +/- 20.1) and patients with normal weight (43.8 +/- 22.2), P < 0.001. The association between obesity and impaired quality of life was confirmed with a linear regression model (Coef = -12.9, P < 0.001) and remained significant after adjustment for age, sex, disease activity, extra-articular disease, comorbidities, X-ray erosions, presence of rheumatoid factor, depression, education, and disease duration (Coef = -5.3, P = 0.039). In conclusion, obesity is independently associated with the impaired quality of life in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.     

Physical function and health‐related quality of life of Spanish patients with ankylosing spondylitis

Objective

To determine the physical function and the quality of life (QOL) of Spanish patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS), and to study the reliability of the Spanish version of the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI).

Methods

Clinimetric variables, including Spanish BASFI (test‐retest), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI), QOL instruments (Short Form 36 [SF‐36] and European Quality of Life Questionnaire [EuroQol]), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Metrology Index (BASMI), and chest expansion, were assessed.

Results

A total of 92 patients were included: 69 males (75%), age (mean ± SD) 40.7 ± 9.1 years, and disease duration 11 ± 7.8 years. The scores (mean ± SD) were (from 0 the best to 10 the worst): BASFI 4.3 ± 2.4; BASDAI 4.5 ± 2.2; global SF‐36 5.5 ± 2.1; SF‐36 physical function 3.8 ± 2.5; SF‐36 physical scale 4.9 ± 2.7; SF‐36 mental scale 3.7 ± 2.7; SF‐36 physical role limitations 5.6 ± 4.4; SF‐36 general health 5.5 ± 2.1; SF‐36 pain 5.4 ±2.8; SF‐36 vitality 5.1 ± 2; EuroQoL rating scale 3.9±2.1; EuroQol health profile (from 0 the best to 2 the worst) 0.6 ± 0.4; and BASMI 4.7 ± 1.6. Significant association was found between BASFI and SF‐36 physical function domain (r = 0.75, R² = 0.56, P < 0.0001). BASFI Cronbach's alpha was 0.92, Spearman's rho = 0.91, P < 0.0001.

Conclusions

Physical function and QOL are deteriorated in AS. The physical domain is more impaired than the mental one. The SF‐36 and the health profile of the EuroQol may be used as generic instruments to measure health‐related QOL. Spanish BASFI index is a reliable instrument.