Effect of Self-Care Guidelines on Quality of Life among Women with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Hussein Mohammed, Faten; L Mahmoud Soliman, Nawa; Al-kotb Mohammed, Heba

doi:10.21608/ejhc.2023.299540

Effect of Self-Care Guidelines on Quality of Life among Women with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Teaching specialist in nursing science -,Zagazig technical health institute

² professor of Community health nursing department, Faculty of nursing, Ain Shams Univversity

³ Assistant professor of family and Community health nursing department, Faculty of nursing, Suez Canal University

10.21608/ejhc.2023.299540

Abstract

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a symmetrical disease that initially affects small joints progressing to larger joints and eventually the skin, eyes, heart, kidneys, and lungs. Self-care is of utmost importance for people with rheumatoid arthritis to minimize their complaints, reduce clinic visits and reduce disability. Aim: To evaluate the effect of self-care guidelines on quality of life among women with rheumatoid arthritis. Design: Quasi-experimental design was used to evaluate the effect of self-care guidelines on quality of life among women with rheumatoid arthritis. Setting: The study was conducted at the outpatient clinic of the Rheumatology and Rehabilitation at Suez Canal University Hospitals. Subjects: Purposeful sample was composed of 80 women had a definite diagnosis of RA and willing to participated in the study. Tools: four tools were used for data collection: Women assessment interview questionnaire, RA self-care practices questionnaire, Arthritis Impact Measurement Scale2 (AIMS2-SF), Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ). Results: There was a significant improvement in knowledge and selfcare practices of women with RA throughout study phases. Consequently, arthritic women improved in quality of life and reduced in pain intensity after implementation RA self-care guidelines. Conclusion: Self-care guidelines helped in reducing pain level and improving quality of life and health status among women with rheumatoid arthritis. Self-care guidelines resulted in beneficial effect on disability and pain scores. Recommendation: Self-care guideline can be considered an effective intervention to improve the quality of life, perform activities of daily living in rheumatoid arthritis patients.

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