Eating attitude in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: The relationship between pain, body mass index, disease activity, functional status, depression, anxiety and quality of life

Purpose: The aim of this study is to evaluate the relationship between eating attitude and pain, body mass index, disease activity, functional status, depression, anxiety and quality of life in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Design and methods: This descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted with 111 RA patients between January 2021 and May 2021. Findings: The Eating Attitudes Test scores of the participants had a positive significant relationship with their Visual Analog Scale scores (r = 0.257), Health Assessment Questionnaire scores (r = 0.221), Beck Anxiety In-ventory scores (r = 0.287), Beck Depression Inventory scores (p = 0.224), and Rheumatoid Arthritis Quality of Life Scale scores (r = 0.298) (p < 0.05). This study showed that when the eating attitudes of the RA patients were negative, their anxiety and depression levels increased, and their quality of life was negatively affected. Practice implications: In the positive management of depression and anxiety, by creating treatment guidelines, the moderation of the eating attitudes of patients and increasing their quality of life levels should be ensured.