Assessment quality of life among women with rheumatoid arthritis at Suez Canal University Hospital

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a symmetrical disease that initially affects small joints progressing to larger joints. It causes significant musculoskeletal functional impairment and disability. Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) often report impaired quality of life. Aim: to assess quality of life among women with rheumatoid arthritis at Suiz Canal University hospital. Subjects& Methods: Research Design: A descriptive design was utilized. 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: three tools were used for data collection: Tool I: Women assessment interview questionnaire composed of two parts; sociodemographic, medical history. Tool II: Arthritis Impact Measurement Scale2 (AIMS2-SF). Tool III: Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ). Results: the study finding revealed that 85.5% of the study sample had low quality of life. 60 % of the study sample had sever effect of pain on work. 56% of the study sample had weak health. More than two third of the study sample their health become worse after rheumatoid. Conclusion: rheumatoid arthritis had a great impact on all domains of quality of life of women with RA. Recommendations: women with rheumatoid arthritis need more attention to improve quality of life.