Quality of Life and Medication Adherence in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients

Assistant Professor, Riphah Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Riphah International University, Lahore, Pakistan

*Corresponding Author: Ali Akhtar, Assistant Professor, Riphah Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Riphah International University, Lahore, Pakistan; Email: [email protected]

Received Date: 12 October, 2023

Published Date: 25 November, 2023

Citation: Ahmed Q, et al. (2023). Quality of Life and Medication Adherence in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients. Mathews J Pharma Sci. 7(4):24.

Copyrights: Ahmed Q, et al. © (2023). 

ABSTRACT

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease that affects millions of people worldwide. It can cause joint pain, inflammation, and stiffness, leading to decreased physical function and reduced quality of life. To manage RA, patients often rely on medication adherence, which can also affect their quality of life. Objectives: This study's objective was to investigate the relationship between Rheumatoid Arthritis patients' medication adherence and their quality of life and to evaluate the barriers involved in the intervention or the effectiveness of interventions in improving quality of life and medication adherence in RA patients. Methodology: Various tools have been developed to diagnose and measure RA disease activity, including the Quality of Life Scale (EQ-5D-5L), the Medication Adherence scale (MMAS). Results: A significant proportion of respondents (39.6%) reported having no problems in taking care of themselves. However, a considerable number of individuals indicated slight (20.8%), moderate (11.3%), severe (13.2%), or complete inability (9.4%) to take care of themselves. A considerable number of individuals reported slight (20.8%), moderate (12.3%), severe (12.3%), or complete inability (5.7%) to perform their usual activities. This highlights the impact of medication adherence on functional capacity and the ability to engage in work, household tasks, and leisure activities. Healthcare professionals should encourage medication adherence, monitor disease activity regularly, and provide appropriate interventions to optimize disease control and enhance patient outcomes. Conclusion: The questionnaire results highlight the significant impact of medication adherence on the quality of life of individuals with rheumatoid arthritis. Proper adherence to prescribed medications can improve self-care ability, functional capacity, pain management, and mental well-being. Addressing barriers to adherence and providing support for medication management are crucial in optimizing outcomes and enhancing the overall quality of life for rheumatoid arthritis patients.