Which Disability Domain(s) of Health Assessment Questionnaire Is Associated with Which Age Category in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis? A Single Center Cohort Study

Abstract

Objective: The aim was to determine which age category had more problems in which disability domain(s) in patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). Methods: One hundred eighty-six RA were included in the study. Patients were divided into 3 groups: Middle-aged group: 31-45 years (n = 42); Adult group: 46-64 years (n = 82); Elderly group: 65 years and older (n = 62). Disability levels were evaluated with the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) and the level of general pain with the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Results: In the middle-aged group, the age parameter had a low correlation with the “common activities” disability domain (r = 0.437; P = .004) and total score (r = 0.311; P = .045) of HAQ. In the adult group, VAS had a low correlation with all disability domains except the “grip” disability domain and the total score of HAQ (r = 0.240/0.370, P < .05). In the elderly group, age parameter had a low correlation with the “reach” (r = 0.251; P = .049) and “common activities” (r = 0.331; P = .008) disability domains of HAQ, while VAS had a low and moderate correlation with all disability domains and the total score of HAQ (r = 0.344/0.568, P < .05). Conclusion: In RA, disability may be felt most in common activities in middle age, while pain may play a role in the perception of general disability in adults. While the elderly with RA continue to be under the influence of pain, they may also feel disability in reach activities in addition to common activities.