Self Management Behaviors in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients and Associated Factors in Tehran 2013.
BACKGROUND
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a systemic, autoimmune and inflammatory disease with an unknown etiology that is associated with progressive joint degeneration, limitation of physical activity and disability. The aim of the study was to evaluate self-management behaviors and their associated factors in RA patients.


METHODS
This cross-sectional study was performed in 2013 on185 patients in Iran. Data were selected through convenient sampling. The collected data included demographic variables, disease related variables, Arthritis Impact Measurement Scale 2 (AIMS-2SF), and Self-Management Behaviors (SMB). Data were analyzed by SPSS17 using Spearman correlation and logistic regression test.


RESULTS
In this study drug management, regular follow-up, and food supplement were used as the most frequently applied SMB and aquatic exercise, diet, massage therapy, and relaxation were the least common SMBs. Age, education, health status, occupation, marital status, sex, DAS28 (Disease Activity Score 28 joints), and PGA (Physician Global Assessment) were significantly related with SMB.


CONCLUSIONS
The result of the study highlight the influence of demographic variables, health status, and disease related data on SMB. Thus, more studies are required to find factors influencing SMB in order to improve SMB.
school of public health, Shahid Sadoughi University of medical sciences. mosharefe@gmail.com.
Mosharafeh
M
Chaleshgar Kordasiabi
Maassoumeh
M
Akhlaghi
Mohammad Hossein
MH
Baghianimoghadam
Mohammad Ali
MA
Morowatisharifabad
Mohsen
M
Askarishahi
Behnaz
B
Enjezab
Zeinab
Z
Pajouhi
D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000628:therapy*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D019468:Disease Management; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007492:Iran; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D012648:Self Care; D012720:Severity of Illness Index