Capability for daily activities in old people with rheumatoid arthritis: a population based study
- 1 January 2005
- journal article
- Published by BMJ in Annals Of The Rheumatic Diseases
- Vol. 64 (1), 56-58
- https://doi.org/10.1136/ard.2003.017889
Abstract
Objective: To describe the functional capacity for daily activities in old people with clinical rheumatoid arthritis (including juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA)) in a population based cohort. Methods: A cohort of 700 people was randomly collected from the population older than 75 years in a Finnish town. Altogether 601 persons (86%) participated. Data were collected from clinical records and by interview, clinical examination, and questionnaire. Ability to carry out activities of daily living (ADL) was assessed by the Barthel index, and the IADL (instrumental activities of daily living) by the Lawton and Brody questionnaire. Results: 16 people had clinical rheumatoid arthritis (one with JRA). The prevalence was 16/601 (2.7% (95% confidence interval, 1.7% to 4.5%)). Eight patients with rheumatoid arthritis (50%) obtained the best possible ADL figures, while three (19%) had very poor results. Seven (44%) could not dress themselves without help. Three (19%) were unable to walk, and five (31%) could not climb stairs. Sex and age adjusted results showed no statistical difference (ADL and IADL) between patients with clinical rheumatoid arthritis and rest of the cohort. Four patients (25%) had dementia, which was associated with the poor functional capacity. Conclusions: The prevalence of the disease was unexceptional. The ability of old people with rheumatoid arthritis to carry out activities of daily living did not differ from the general population, but the disease may lead to severe disability on an individual level, especially when associated with dementia. It therefore remains a considerable challenge to the health care and social systems.Keywords
This publication has 24 references indexed in Scilit:
- Dementia with Lewy bodies according to the consensus criteria in a general population aged 75 years or olderJournal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry, 2003
- Kuopio 75+ study: does advanced age predict more common use of psychotropics among the elderly?International Clinical Psychopharmacology, 2003
- Functional disability in rheumatoid arthritis patients compared with a community population in FinlandArthritis & Rheumatism, 2003
- Association of Comorbidity with Disability in Older WomenJournal of Clinical Epidemiology, 1999
- Chronic Conditions and Disabilities Among Seniors: An Analysis of Population-Based Health and Activity Limitation SurveysAnnals of Epidemiology, 1998
- The Prevalence and Severity of Rheumatoid Arthritis in OsloScandinavian Journal of Rheumatology, 1997
- The effect of medical conditions on the functional limitations of Mexican-American elderlyAnnals of Epidemiology, 1996
- Musculoskeletal disorders and disability in persons aged 85 and over: a community survey.Annals Of The Rheumatic Diseases, 1994
- Alzheimer's Disease and Rheumatoid ArthritisRheumatology, 1994
- “Mini-mental state”: A practical method for grading the cognitive state of patients for the clinicianJournal of Psychiatric Research, 1975