Vpliv bioloških zdravil na kakovost življenja bolnikov z revmatološkim obolenjem
The impact of biologics on the quality of life of people affected by rheumatic diseases

slovenian

2013

volume 47, issue 2

activities of daily living   chronic pain   performance improvement   therapy

Zbornica zdravstvene in babiške nege Slovenije - Zveza strokovnih društev medicinskih sester, babic in zdravstvenih tehnikov Slovenije
(Obvezni izvod spletne publikacije)

Introduction: Intense pain is the most common presenting complaint in rheumatic disease patients, so professional pain management remains one of primary concerns. The aim of the study was to determine the impact of chronic pains on the activities of daily living and the patients' quality of life. Methods: Quantitative research method was used to investigate the research questions. Included in the study were 30 % of randomly selected subjects (n = 90) who were treated with biological drugs at the Department of Rheumatology of the University Clinical Centre (UCC) Maribor in the year 2011. The patients' self-assessment reports compiled in the year 2011 were compared to the reports of the participants prior to their treatment with biologics. The assessment tool Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index (PROMIS-HAQ) was used in self-reporting physical function/disability, pain and quality of life in patients with rheumatic diseases and conditions. The baseline internal consistency of the questionnaire measured by Cronbach's alpha was 0.950. The data were processed with the statistical package SPSS 20.0. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the basic features of the data and a t-test was employed to determine statistically significant differences between variables. The impact of the independent (predictor) variable on the studied dependent variable was determined by the linear regression analysis. Results: Despite notable improvement ensuing biological treatment, the patients still have difficulty in performing household activities (x = 2.58, s= 0.810), feeding (x = 2.34, s = 0.683), movement (x =2.189, s = 0.735), and the daily personal hygiene (x = 2.20, s = 0.705). After the treatment, a statistically significant decrease in pain intensity was reported (t = 9.177, p < 0.001), along with improved performance in activities of daily living (t =15.148, p < 0.001) and the quality of life (t = 9.339, p < 0.001). It has been confirmed that pain has a statistically significant influence on the quality of patients' lives (ß = 8.554, p < 0.001). Discussion and conclusion: The study results indicate that debilitating pain conditions in rheumatologic patients commonly hinder and interfere with their daily activities as well as affect the quality of their life. Timely detection of rheumatic diseases and pain management, together with nurses' health-education and counseling are therefore of paramount importance to rheumatology patients.

23.01.2014