Health-related quality of life in female patients with reumatoid arthritis: a structural equation model

PURPOSE

This study aimed to construct a structural equation model to explain and predict factors affecting the health-related quality of life (QoL) in female rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients based on the health-related QoL model by Ferrans et al. (2005) and a literature review.

METHODS

Patients (N=243) who were either registered members of an internet cafe composed of patients with RA or rheumatology outpatients at two tertiary general hospitals in Busan, Korea, were recruited via convenience sampling. Data were collected from July 2 to September 9, 2021, and the survey was conducted using a web-based questionnaire. The data were analyzed by SPSS and AMOS 26.0.

RESULTS

The goodness-of-fit statistics of the final model exhibited good results (χ2/degree of freedom=2.68, Turker-Lewis index=.94, comparative fit index=.96, standardized root mean-squared residual=.04, root mean- square error of approximation=.08), and 11 out of 14 paths of the model were supported. The squared multiple correlation, which reflected the explanatory power of the environmental characteristics, symptoms, functional status, and perceived health status on health-related QoL, was 80%. In the hypothesis model, 10 paths had significant direct effects, 6 paths had significant indirect effects, and 12 paths had significant total (direct and indirect) effects.

CONCLUSION

Considering that factors directly affecting the health-related QoL of female patients with RA were social support, symptoms (fatigue and depression), resilience, and perceived health status, and that resilience was the most influential factor, clinicians can encourage resilience. Hence, to improve the health-related QoL of female patients with RA, continuing management is necessary, using various intervention methods that focus on enhancing resilience from the early stage to the end of treatment for RA.

Estimation of Interleukin 32 and Interleukin 37 Serum Levels in Iraqi Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune condition characterized by persistent inflammation in synovial joints. Interleukine-32 (IL32) is known to have significant pro-inflammatory effects in RA, and IL37 is an anti-inflammatory cytokine that reduces the immune response and inflammation. This study aimed to investigate serum levels of IL32 and IL73 in RA patients. The sample included 50 patients (46 females and four males) with RA and 40 healthy controls. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) detected serum levels of IL32 and IL37. The disease parameters' activity was measured by the clinical disease activity index, and the Erythrocyte sedimentation rate was measured by the Westergren method. Moreover, C-Reactive protein, Rheumatoid factor, and Anti-Cyclic Citrullinated Peptide antibodies were measured using the ELISA. The results showed elevated serum levels of IL32 and IL37 in patients with RA (P<0.05). The mean duration of RA in most patients was <12 years, and the level of disease activity among the cases group was mainly moderate (70%). There was no significant difference between the mean levels of IL32 and IL37 in patients with RA. This study showed that although IL32 and IL37 played an essential role in RA pathogenesis, there was no significant correlation between serum levels of IL32 and IL37 and disease duration or activity.

Pulmonary Manifestations In Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis Visiting Tertiary Care Hospital

Background

Rheumatoid arthritis is a common problem in elderly individuals. It is reported that lung involvement in these patients is widely present. This study was done with the purpose to assess the burden and characteristics of lung involvement in rheumatoid arthritis patients attending rheumatology clinic.

Methods

This descriptive cross-sectional study, in which data was retrospectively collected, was carried out from April 2019 to December 2020 at the Rheumatology Department of Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC), Karachi, Pakistan. All adult rheumatoid arthritis individuals, irrespective of gender or duration of disease, were consecutively enrolled. Information regarding the baseline characteristics, medication history for rheumatoid arthritis, findings of immunological tests along with the frequency of lung involvement and its pattern were observed.

Results

Of 254 patients, the mean age was 37.46 ±12.39 years. Females were predominantly higher as compared to males, i.e., 232 (91.3%) vs. 22 (8.7%) respectively. Current smoking status was found positive in 7 (2.8%) patients. The mean disease duration was 4.41±3.96 years. Furthermore, frequency of pulmonary manifestation was observed in 45 (17.7%) patients. A significantly higher mean difference of age (p-value <0.001) and disease duration (p-value <0.001) was observed among patients with and without pulmonary manifestation. Moreover, a significant association of current smoker was also observed with pulmonary manifestation.

Conclusion

A considerable number of patients with rheumatoid arthritis had pulmonary manifestation. Furthermore, a significant relationship was observed with age, duration of disease, and current smokers.

Effects of Naringenin on Experimentally Induced Rheumatoid Arthritis in Wistar Rats

Naringenin is one of the most important and abundant known flavonoids found in grapefruit and other citrus fruits. This experimental study aimed to assess the clinical effects and immune responses of naringenin in the animal model of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) according to various reports on its anti-inflammatory effects and modulation of the immune system. To this end, 40 Wistar rats in the weight range of 160-180g were randomly assigned to four groups (n=10) including healthy, control, naringenin, and methotrexate orally treated groups. To induce RA disease, a compound of 200 μl of Freund's adjuvant and collagen type II was injected subcutaneously into the rear footpads of rats. The severity of RA clinical signs was assessed based on a standard scoring method. The treatment lasted for three weeks (days7-28 after induction). The obtained data pointed out that the levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), myeloperoxidase, nitric oxide, IL-17, and IFN-γ cytokines significantly increased in the RA rats, while the level of their serum antioxidants significantly reduced, compared to the healthy rats. The inflammation of the paws and the level of CRP decreased similarly in both methotrexate and naringenin-treated groups. In the naringenin-treated group, a further decrease was detected in serum myeloperoxidase, nitric oxide, and the total antioxidant capacity occurred, as compared to the methotrexate-treated rats. Nonetheless, IL-17 and IFN-γ cytokines levels were further decreased in the methotrexate-treated group. Accordingly, it can be concluded that naringenin can be effectively used for the reduction of inflammatory effects and control of RA disease.

Effects of Mediterranean diet on the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis

INTRODUCTION

It has been suggested that environmental and lifestyle factors might contribute to the severity and progression of inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis. An intervention generating high interest due to its supposed anti-inflammatory properties is the Mediterranean diet.

METHODS

We searched in Epistemonikos, the largest database of systematic reviews in health, which is maintained by screening multiple information sources, including MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane, among others. We extracted data from the systematic reviews, reanalyzed data of primary studies, conducted a meta-analysis and generated a summary of findings table using the GRADE approach.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

We identified seven systematic reviews including four primary studies, of which only one corresponded to a randomized trial. We concluded Mediterranean diet may make little or no difference in pain or disease activity and may slightly increase weight in rheumatoid arthritis patients, but the certainty of the evidence is low. On the other hand, it was not possible to clearly establish whether Mediterranean diet has any effect on functionality, morning stiffness or quality of life as the certainty of the existing evidence has been assessed as very low.

The Effect of Educational Program on Self-efficacy of Women with Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

BACKGROUND

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a chronic and inflammatory disorder which is the major cause of disability in adults. Patient training is a vital aspect of nursing care for people with arthritis aiming to enable them to live as independently as possible. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the effect of the educational program on self-efficacy on women with rheumatoid arthritis.

METHODS

This study was an open randomized controlled clinical trial during May to July 2013. Women (64 participants) with confirmed RA and a mean±SD age of 48.6±9.83 years were enrolled; they were randomly assigned into intervention and control groups (32 in each group). The patients in the intervention group participated in a training programs consisting of two 30-minute sessions per week for 8 consecutive weeks. Data were collected by using Arthritis Self-Efficacy Scale (ASES) and demographic questionnaire. ASES questionnaire was filled in three times by the participants: before, immediately after, and three months after the intervention. Data were analyzed using SPSS software, version 20, and statistical tests including Chi-square and t-test.

RESULTS

The results showed that the mean of self-efficacy scores of the intervention group, immediately and three months after the intervention, significantly enhanced in all dimensions compared with the control group (P<0.001, P<0.001).

CONCLUSION

It can be concluded that training programs is effective for improving self-efficacy in the patients suffering from RA by raising their awareness towards their disease and methods of adaptation with it. But as to the sustainability of the impact of educational courses on self-efficacy, it seems that more research is required. Trial Registration Number: IRCT201308187531N3.