Quality of life in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease that is characterized by pain and swelling of the joints. It affects 1% of population, making it a frequent disease that is more common in women without an age group predisposition. In Merida state, Venezuela there are no reports or revisions about the incidence and/or prevalence of this disease. Changes that this pathology might have on the life quality can be perceived in a positive or negative way by the patients. Therefore, a cross-sectional, observational, descriptive study was made. It consisted in the application of a set of surveys that aimed to determine the perception on the life quality of patients with RA and also if it can be influenced by the doctor-patient relationship. The sample of the study were 75 individuals, divided into 2 groups; one control group formed by 25 people and another group of 50 patients with RA that assisted to the rheumatology department of the Instituto Autonomo Hospital Universitario de Los Andes (IAHULA), Merida - Venezuela. The study found that there is a bigger incidence in the female population, with an average age of 46.81 years and it was evidenced that there are no changes in the perception of the life quality by comparing both groups, being this independent of the doctor-patient relationship.