Sociodemographic factors associated with functional disability in outpatients with rheumatoid arthritis in Southwest China

With the rising number of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), there is a limited understanding about sociodemographic factors that influence functional disability in Chinese patients. In order to provide more targeted interventions to improve health-related quality of life (HRQoL) for patients with RA, we conducted a cross-sectional study to investigate the level and influencing factors of functional disability. Convenient samples were collected in outpatients with RA from a rheumatological center in southwest China from September to December 2013. Data were collected by printed questionnaires, and functional disability was measured by the Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index (HAQ-DI). The results showed that 58.48 % of 607 outpatients had functional disability. Patients from rural residents, with lower household income and lower education level, were significantly associated with worse functional disability. Multivariate regression findings showed that pain, age, disease duration, total cost for treatment, and frequency of hospitalization were positively associated with functional disability. Meanwhile, subjective and available social support was the protective predictors for functional disability. The results suggested that systematic intervention and therapies should be provided as early as possible. Patients and health care providers should promote the awareness of the importance of accessible health education in early intervention of RA. Besides, pain management and social support are encouraged to postpone the process of disability of patients and improve the HRQoL. Lastly, but not least, prevention and intervention of RA should be incorporated into public health education.