A Comparative Analysis of Quality of Life in Rheumatoid Arthritis and
Fibromyalgia

Journal of Musculoskeletal Pain, Vol. 7(4) 1999  pp. 5-14

Pinar Borman, M.D.; Reyhan Celiker, M.D.

ABSTRACT.
Objectives: The aim of this study was to explore quality of life [QOL] in
rheumatoid arthritis [RA] and fibromyalgia syndrome [FMS] patients.

Methods: Twenty-six RA, 22 FMS patients and 25 control subjects were
examined. The Nottingham Health Profile was used to assess quality of
life in the subjects.

Results: All dimensions of the NHP in RA and FMS patients were
significantly higher than in the control group. The physical activity and
pain scores of the RA group were higher than in the FMS group, whereas
energy, social isolation, sleep, and emotional reaction scores were
higher in FMS patients.

Conclusion: Quality of life as measured by the NHP confirms our
expectation that individuals with increasing functional disability have a
reduced QOL especially in the physical sections. But FMS patients
suffering from widespread pain have a more decreased QOL except for the
levels of disability.


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KEYWORDS. Quality of life, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, Nottingham
Health Profile

Pinar Borman, MD, is Specialist, University of Hacettepe, School of
Medicine, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Ankara,
Turkey [E-mail: mailto:pinarb@hitit.ato.org.tr ]..
Reyhan Celiker, MD, is Associate Professor, Hacettepe University School
of Medicine, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 06100
Ankara, Turkey  [E-mail: mailto:celiker@tr-net.net.tr ].
Address correspondence to: Pinar Borman, MD, Iran Cad. Turan Emeksiz
Sok., Kent Sitesi A-Blok 5/3, GOP 06700 Ankara, Turkey.
Submitted:      March 1, 1999.
Revision accepted: May 25, 1999.


© 1999 by The Haworth Press, Inc. All rights reserved.