Quality of Life in Chronic Arthritis
Quality of Life in Chronic Arthritis
Chronic joint complaints are prevalent in clinical practice. If chronic arthritis such as
 rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is not adequately controlled, it can
 not only affect patient's working ability but also produce indirect cost in patient's family.
 Quality of life will also be affected. Health-related quality of life issues are assuming
 increasing importance in chronic rheumatic diseases. However, studies on quality of life in
 rheumatic patients are limited. Factors related to quality of life are not clear. Application
 of quality of life measurement for improving clinical care of RA and AS patients is still
 difficult. The objective of this study was to evaluation the validity of EQ-5D life quality
 measurement in chronic arthritis patients in Taiwan. Factors associated with life quality
 will be addressed. This will also provide useful information for public health policy making.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  Patients with rheumatoid arthritis or ankylosing spondylitis

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  Patients with mental illness which interfered with questionaire answering