Quality of Life of Swedish Women with Fibromyalgia Syndrome, Rheumatoid Arthritis or Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Abstract

Objectives: This study sought to: 1. compare life quality of Swedish women with either fibromyalgia [FMS], rheumatoid arthritis [RA] or systemic lupus erythematosus [SLE] and 2. determine factors that predict life quality. Methods: One hundred fifty age-matched women who met criteria for the above conditions filled out the following questionnaires: Quality of Life Scale [QOLS-S], McGill Pain Questionnaire-Short Form [MPQ-S], Rheumatology Attitudes Index [RAI], and the Arthritis Impact Measurement Scales [AIMS]. Results: The FMS groups's mean on the QOLS-S total score and on individual items measuring health, relationships, and recreation were significantly lower. Depression and anxiety were the most significant predictors of quality of life in all groups. Conclusions: Treatment of psychological distress has potential to impact life quality in all groups.

KEYWORDS:

• Quality of life
• fibromyalgia
• lupus
• rheumatoid arthritis