Evaluation of the functional status of patients with rheumatoid arthritis by use of the Standardized Practical Equipment

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic progressive inflammation of the synovial membrane, which brings about the destruction of articular and periarticular tissues, resulting in distortion and impairment of joints function, which consequently leads to permanent disability. The aim of this study was to assess the functional state of patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Material and methods: The study group consisted of 120 patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated in the Rheumatology Clinic in Poznań (75% of them were women). Mean age: 52.15 years, SD (12.73). The mean disease duration was 13.47 years, SD (8.62) (Table I). Symptoms of the osteoarticular system was evaluated using the following principles: the duration of morning stiffness, pain intensity according to VAS, pain soreness arthritis using the Ritchie Articular Index, hand muscle strength on the basis of grip strength. To assess the functional state of patients the Standardized Practical Equipment was used (Table II).

Results: About 60% of women and 40% of men were not capable of performing such tasks as opening a jar. Performance of most of the tasks required the respondents to use some kind of technical assistance or the activity was slow or was performed with the help of another person (Table III).

Conclusions: Poor results of the evaluation of RA patients’ functioning, irrespective of the patients’ gender, limited their ability to perform basic activities of life.