Treatment of pain in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Teoretična izhodišča: Čeprav se z bolečino srečujemo kot z neprijetno izkušnjo, vemo da opravlja eno ključnih funkcij našega telesa, saj deluje kot opozorilni sistem. Čeprav je bolečina izjemnega pomena za človeka, saj nas opozarja in varuje pred škodljivimi vplivi okoli in v nas, pa ima številne škodljive učinke na fizično in psihično stanje pacienta. Kronična bolečina nima nobene zaščitne vloge in lahko ostane za vso življenje – pacientu povzroča fizične omejitve in ga psihično, socialno ter ekonomsko uničuje. In ravno ta vrsta bolečine je značilna za paciente, ki trpijo za revmatoidnim artritisom. Namen diplomskega dela je predstaviti obravnavo bolečine pri pacientu z revmatoidnim artritisom ter ugotoviti, ali bolečina vpliva na kakovost življenja pacientov z revmatoidnim artritisom. Metodologija raziskovanja: V diplomskem delu smo uporabili deskriptivno metodo dela. Pri raziskovalnem delu diplomskega dela smo uporabili metodo anketiranja. Anketni vprašalnik je zajemal 22 vprašanj zaprtega tipa in dva vprašanja polodprtega tipa. V raziskavi je sodelovalo 100 pacientov, ki trpijo za revmatoidnim artritisom ter so člani Društva revmatikov Slovenije. Rezultati: Ugotovili smo, da je bilo ob diagnosticiranju revmatoidnega artritisa 82 % obravnavanih oseb seznanjenih z neozdravljivostjo bolezni. Napor je z 31 % najpomembnejši dejavnik, ki vpliva na intenzivnost bolečine. 57 % obravnavanim osebam se je življenje po diagnosticiranji revmatoidnega artritisa poslabšalo. 74 % medicinskih sester ob kontrolnem pregledu ne uporabljajo lestvic za ocenjevanje bolečine. 65 % obravnavanih oseb delno obvladuje bolečino. 37 % obravnavanim osebam pa največ podpore pri premagovanju bolezni nudijo svojci. Sklep: Pacienti z revmatoidnim artritisom so le delno uspešni pri obvladovanju bolečin. Medicinske sestre slednjim bolečino ocenjujejo preredko, kar zmanjšuje učinkovitost protibolečinskih terapij. Na podlagi kritične presoje dobljenih rezultatov pa lahko zaključimo, da bolečina zmanjšuje kakovost pacientov z revmatoidnim artritisom.Theoretical references: Although pain is experienced as unpleasant, we are aware that it performs one of the key functions in our body because it works as a warning system. Although pain is of great significance for the human being, since it warns and protects us from adverse effects, it has many harmful impacts on the physical and psychological condition of the patient. Chronic pain has no protective role and can be present through whole life causing physical restrictions to the patient. This can psychologically, socially and economically ravage him. This type of pain is typical of patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. The aim of the diploma paper is to present the treatment of pain at a patient suffering from rheumatoid arthritis and to determine if pain has an influence on the quality of life of patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. Research methodology: In the diploma paper the descriptive method was used. For the research the method of interviewing was used. The questionnaire included 22 closed type questions and two half-closed questions. The research included 100 patients which suffer from rheumatoid arthritis and are members of Slovenian Rheumatoid Society. Results: We have determined that 82% of the surveyees were informed about the incurability of rheumatoid arthritis at the time of diagnosis. With 31%, physical strain is the most important factor influencing the intensity of the pain. 57% of the surveyees claim that their quality of life has decreased after the diagnosis of rheumatic arthritis. 74% of nurses do not use pain rating scales at control examinations. 65% of the surveyees manage the pain only partially. 37% of the surveyees get most of the support from their family. Conclusion: Patients with rheumatoid arthritis are only partially successful in managing pain. Nurses do not rate their pain often enough, which decreases the effectiveness of painkilling therapies. Based on critical judgement of the gained results we can conclude that pain decreases the quality of life of patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis