The impact of arthritis on pain and quality of life: an Australian survey

Abstract

Objective: To determine the impact of arthritis pain and quality of life among adults with arthritis-related pain in Australia.Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted on a convenience sample of adults with arthritis-related pain in Australia from an access research panel. The survey was administered to 1039 participants who reported experiencing pain or loss of mobility as a result of their arthritis. The survey covered details of their condition, descriptions of the pain, impacts of pain on their daily lives, information regarding pain management and medication, the Measure of Intermittent and Constant Osteoarthritis Pain (ICOAP) tool, the EQ5D (a standardized measure of health tool) and demographic information.Results: Osteoarthritis (OA) was the most common form of arthritis (69% of respondents). The back (65%), knees (64%) and fingers (61%) were the regions in which pain was most commonly reported; 87% of respondents reported that their pain tended to change in intensity, with exercise and cold weather producing significantly increased levels of pain. Forty-seven percent of patients reported that the worst impact of arthritis was on their capacity to carry out activities of daily living. The majority of patients (71%) found their pain management programs to be of 'medium effectiveness' or 'fairly effective', although 17% described it as ineffective. Conclusion:Persons with arthritis in Australia demonstrate marked pain-related functional impairment characterized by difficulty with many aspects of daily activity. The results suggest that a substantial benefit may be derived from increased awareness of the disease and increased knowledge about the potential for improved management.

The self‐assessed psychological comorbidities of prurigo in European patients: a multicentre study in 13 countries

“…In a previously published study on the same cohort of patients, our patients with prurigo had one of the three lowest mean EQ VAS scores (57.4) . This value was similar to that of rheumatoid arthritis pain (56.4) and 25.7 points lower than for healthy controls . Impairment for each of the five dimensions of the EQ5D for patients with prurigo compared to controls highlighted an increased odds ratio (between 8.6 and 3.3) for all dimensions (in descending order): pain/discomfort, self‐care, depression/anxiety, mobility and activity.…”

“…19 This value was similar to that of rheumatoid arthritis pain (56.4) and 25.7 points lower than for healthy controls. 20 Impairment for each of the five dimensions of the EQ5D for patients with prurigo compared to controls highlighted an increased odds ratio (between 8.6 and 3.3) for all dimensions (in descending order): pain/discomfort, self-care, depression/anxiety, mobility and activity. Among the 35 dermatological diseases studied, for self-care, prurigo was the worst after blistering disease, and for pain/discomfort, prurigo was the worst after hidradenitis suppurativa.…”

Self-reported effects of cold temperature exposure in persons with tetraplegia

“…increased spasticity, muscle stiffness, arthralgia, etc. [45][46][47][48] The presence of these additional factors and their impact on the performance of routine activities were not addressed in this survey.…”

Quality of life impairments after hip arthroscopy in people with hip chondropathy

“…Osteoarthritis (OA) frequently affects the hip joint and is a major global public health problem with substantial psychological, physical, societal and economic impacts [1]. Approximately 12% of adults in the United Kingdom [2] and 9% of adults aged 45 years and over in the United States have symptomatic hip OA [3].…”

“…The goals and life priorities of young and middle-aged adults with early signs of OA may not be comparable to those of an older OA population, due to differing responsibilities such as work requirements, parental roles and sports participation [1] Younger OA populations report more frustration and distress in managing their OA, in contrast to older populations who are more likely to accept the condition as a normal part of aging [8]. It is not known whether general health outcomes or psychological health [e.g.…”