The Relationship between Self-reported Chronic Pain and Pain related Functional Limitations among Saudi Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis in 2024

Abstract

Rheumatoid arthritis patients may experience physical, social, emotional, or financial exhaustion as a result of their chronic pain. Rheumatoid arthritis patients' functioning capacities are significantly impacted by chronic pain. Aim: Determine the relationship between self-reported chronic pain and pain related functional limitations among Saudi patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Subjects and method: Setting: Rheumatoid outpatient clinics of Saudi University Hospital. Subjects: 178 patients were recruited. Tools: Three tools were used for data collection: 1) Socio-demographic and Clinical Data of Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis Structured Interview Schedule, 2) Self-Reported Chronic Pain Assessment of Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis Structured Interview Schedule, 3) Pain Related Functional Limitations Assessment of Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis Structured Interview Schedule. Results: More than one half of the study subjects reported greater suffering from chronic pain such as longer duration of chronic pain history, frequent daily pain which persist for longer duration of time and characterized by greater level of severity. Also, the similar percentage of them reported severe level of pain related functional limitations. Conclusion: Suffering from chronic pain is significantly associated with greater level of pain related functional limitations among the study subjects. Recommendations: nurses should assess patients for their pain history, and their perceived pain related functional limitations. The nurse should act collaboratively with the patients and health team members to alleviate the patients' suffering and pains to enhance their functional abilities and to decrease their functional limitations.