IMPACT OF SOCIO-DEMOGRAPHIC AND CLINICAL CHARACTERISTICS ON FUNCTIONAL STATUS AND HEALTH OF PATIENTS WITH RHEUMATOLOGICAL AND AUTOIMMUNE DISEASES; PRESENTING IN RHEUMATOLOGY OPD OF A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

Abstract

Background: Rheumatological and autoimmune diseases affect a substantial portion of world's population and had substantial impact on functional status and health-related outcome of affected individuals.

Objectives: We investigated the influence of socio-demographic and clinical factors on the functional status and health of patients with rheumatological and autoimmune diseases.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey of 384 patients with rheumatological and autoimmune diseases to examine relationships between socio-demographic and clinical variables, functional status, and patients’ health. We collected data on structured questionnaire pertaining to socio-demographics of patients and assessment of functional health status of patients was done using DAS-28 and MHAQ scoring charts.

Results: Majority of patients (73.69%) were females (p<0.05). Age range of patients was 18-68 years with mean 58.32+9.18 years. 52 patients (13.54%) had a DAS-28 score between 2.6 and 3.2, 218 patients (56.77%) had a DAS-28 score between 3.2 and 5.1, and 98 patients (25.52%) had a DAS-28 score higher than 5.1. Between 0 and 8 MHAQ scores, there were 89 (23.17%) patients, between 9 and 16 patients had 163 (42.44%), between 17 and 24 patients had 109 (28.38%), and between 25 and 32 patients had 23 (5.98%).

Conclusion: Socio-demographic and clinical factors played significant role in determining the functional status and overall health of patients with rheumatological and autoimmune diseases. Older age, a lower literacy level, prolonged disease and occurrence of multiple clinical characteristics were associated with a abridged functional and health-status of patients’ life.