Health related quality of life in women with elderly onset rheumatoid arthritis

Ted Mikuls, Kenneth Saag, Lindsey Criswell, Linda Merlino, James R. Cerhan

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

37 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objective. To examine the association of elderly onset rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with health related quality of life in a population based cohort of older women. Methods. A nested case-control study of elderly onset RA within the Iowa Women's Health Study (IWHS), a prospective cohort established in 1986 of 41,000 women aged 55 to 69 years. A supplemental questionnaire was mailed to 122 RA cases and 1132 frequency matched controls from the cohort. We used unconditional logistic regression and linear regression to examine the association of elderly onset RA with self-reported measures of functional disability and quality of life. Results. Elderly onset RA was associated with a 6-fold risk (OR 6.0, 95% CI 3.6-10.1) of significant functional disability (Health Assessment Questionnaire score ≥ 1). Similarly, elderly onset RA was significantly associated with lower physical component scores of the Medical Outcome Study Short Form-12 (37.2 ± 10.9 vs 43.6 ± 11.6; p < 0.001). Conclusion. Among a community based cohort, elderly onset RA was strongly associated with functional disability and reduced quality of life. These associations were independent of other age associated factors including depression, recent fracture, and multiple comorbidities.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)952-957
Number of pages6
JournalJournal of Rheumatology
Volume30
Issue number5
StatePublished - May 1 2003

Keywords

  • Comorbidity
  • Depression
  • Disability
  • Elderly onset
  • Quality of life
  • Rheumatoid arthritis

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Rheumatology
  • Immunology and Allergy
  • Immunology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Health related quality of life in women with elderly onset rheumatoid arthritis'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this