Quality of Life and its Predictors Among Iranian Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Systematic Review

Context Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a chronic disease accompanied by physical disabilities and a number of co-morbidities; it leads to remarkable economic burden, reduced productivity, and deteriorated quality of life (QOL). Objectives The current study aimed to provide a clear view of quality of life among the Iranian patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis through a systematic review. Data Sources The current study was conducted as a systematic literature review on the articles published from 2000 to 2013 in data bases such as: Google scholar, Science Direct, PubMed, IRANDOC, SID and Medlib and by keywords: quality of life, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Iran and, their Persian equivalents. Study Selection Finally, 10 articles were selected out of the 2065 assessed ones. Data Extraction In the first step, the extracted results were summarized in the extraction table, and then analyzed using the Forest plot. Results Based on the Forest plot, six studies on the quality-of-life, met the inclusion criteria. Total QOL score was 47.5. In the reviewed articles (n = 10), different variables and factors were reported to affect the QOL in patients with RA. The most important factors affecting QOL were demographic factors, depression, and complications of RA, etc. Conclusions Due to the chronic nature of RA, promoting the QOL and adherence to therapies could be achieved through convincing the patients. Therefore, identification of weak points and planning for them at all levels; from individual to the community level is suggested