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Pharmacological Therapy and Quality of Life in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients from the North-East of Portugal: An Exploratory Study
* 1 , * 2 , * 2 , * 1, 2 , * 3
1  Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, Campus de Santa Apolónia, 5300-253 Bragança, Portugal,
2  ULSNe (Unidade Local de Saúde do Nordeste), Avenida Abade de Baçal, 5301-852, Bragança, Portugal
3  Research Centre for Active Living and Wellbeing (LiveWell), Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, Campus de Santa Apolónia, 5300-253 Bragança, Portugal
Academic Editor: Veysel Tahan

Abstract:

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an inflammatory disease characterized by erosive changes in bone and cartilage, which can lead to severe deformities and disabilities, adversely impacting muscle strength, endurance, range of motion, and overall quality of life [1,2]. Objective: Our aim was to evaluate pharmacological therapy and quality of life in patients with RA. Methodology: This study followed an exploratory, cross-sectional, and descriptive design, focusing on patients with RA in the Bragança district who are treated at the Rheumatology Service of the Unidade Local de Saúde do Nordeste E. P. E. (ULSNe). The study aimed to collect sociodemographic and therapy-related data and administer validated questionnaires to assess quality of life, using the EQ-5D Health Quality of Life Assessment and evaluate the complexity of pharmacotherapy using the ICFT Pharmacotherapy Complexity Index. Statistical data processing was conducted using IBM SPSS version 30. 0. 0. 0. The project was approved by the ULSNe Ethics Committee. Results: A total of 61 individuals were surveyed; the majority were female (85%), with an average age of 65 years, and primary school was the most common level of education (39%). The EQ-5D results indicated that 54% of participants experience moderate pain/discomfort, while the ICFT produced a score of 29.3, which is considered highly complex pharmacotherapy regarding daily chronic therapy [3]. The medications most frequently reported included DMARDs (Disease Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs, 10.4%) such as Methotrexate in tablet form (5.2%) or injectable (5.2%), and Anti-Anemic drugs (10,8%) like Folic Acid (10.4%), and Corticosteroids (5%) such as Prednisolone (4.5%). Conclusions: This study highlights higher pharmacological complexity compared to previous studies [3,4], which could lead to polypharmacy, thereby increasing the exposure of patients to potential drug interactions and adverse reactions [3]. Patients continue to experience moderate pain and discomfort, despite the prescribed treatment for RA, highlighting the need to improve strategies for better therapy management.

Keywords: Rheumatoid Arthritis; Pharmacological Therapy; Quality of Life.

 
 
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