A Cross-Sectional Study Examining Lifestyle and Rheumatoid Arthritis

<p><strong>Objective</strong><strong>.</strong> Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects the synovial joints. RA affects 0.5-2% of the population. Though it is predominantly a progressive disease, adjunct therapy may slow the destructive pathway or alleviate affiliated symptoms. This study examined the effects of lifestyle (diet and exercise) and self-efficacy on symptoms of RA as measured by disease activity and health satisfaction.</p> <p><strong>Methods.</strong> Seventy-five RA patients (77% female) from the Loma Linda University Faculty Medical Offices, Rheumatology Department completed self-assessment surveys on their lifestyle practices and RA affliction. Disease symptoms and activity were assessed with the Arthritis Impact Measurement Scales-symptoms (pain) component (AIMS2) and the Rapid Assessment of Disease Activity in Rheumatology (RADAR). Subjects also completed a RA self-efficacy scale and three outcome expectation items and questions that assessed their exercise patterns, dietary intake and current use of RA medication.</p> <p><strong>Results.</strong> Stepwise regression analysis revealed that, after controlling for demographics (n=60), high self-efficacy was associated with significantly fewer RA symptoms (AIMS2 [R²=.43; F (1,60) 6.06, p=.00001]; RADAR [R²=.59; F (1,60) 10.69, p^.000000004]) and greater health satisfaction (R²=.31; F [1,60] 4.39, p=.0002). A healthier diet was also associated with significantly greater health satisfaction.</p> <p>Separate analysis was conducted among exercisers due to the unique patterns and differences compared to all subjects. Among RA subjects who exercised (n=43). those who had higher self-efficacy and exercised more frequently had less pain (R²=.44; F [1,43] 4.31, p=.001). Higher self-efficacy was associated with less disease activity (R²=.49; F [1,43] 5.62, p=.0001). Exercisers with high self-efficacy and a strong belief that exercise can reduce the symptoms of RA reported greater health satisfaction (R²=.54; F [1,43] 5.51, p=.0001).</p> <p><strong>Conclusions</strong>. Results suggest that RA patients with greater self-efficacy report more favorable RA disease activity scores. Patients who followed a healthy diet and who exercised experienced improved RA outcomes. Future research should include diet and exercise recommendations and techniques for improving self-efficacy among RA patients.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Doctor of Public Health (DrPH)

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Year

1998

Author dc:creator

• Nazaroff, Leslie

Contributors dc:contributor

• Helen Hopp Marshak
• Edwin Krick
• Jennifer Mason

• Preventive Medicine
• Public Health Education and Promotion
• Arthritis, Rheumatoid
• Cross-Sectional Studies
• Life Style.

Statement dc:rights

• This title appears here courtesy of the author, who has granted Loma Linda University a limited, non-exclusive right to make this publication available to the public. The author retains all other copyrights.

Language dc:language

English

Repository record dc:identifier

https://scholarsrepository.llu.edu/etd/1341

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:scholarsrepository.llu.edu:etd-2112