Table 2 Impact of pain interference in patients with RA
Areas of impact due to pain, and representative quote | Number of participants reporting impact (N = 32) |
|---|---|
Physical functioning | 32 |
“I can’t go out and do a nice long walk with my husband. I can go halfway up the block and back, that’s about it.” (Female, age 66) “I won’t be able to write – sometimes, … with the inflammation, is really bad, it’s a struggle.” (Female, age 38) “I don’t really do that many recreational activities anymore. I just can’t really do them, except activities where I just sit there and watch things, but then even that get a little bit difficult because it gets uncomfortable to sit in one position.” (Female, age 48) | |
Lower body impairments | 32 |
Standing | 30 |
Walking | 25 |
Sitting | 20 |
Kneeling, crouching, bending | 15 |
Staying still | 14 |
Climbing stairs | 11 |
Running | 10 |
Pressing down | 1 |
Lifting with legs | 1 |
Upper body impairments | 28 |
Grip strength, manual dexterity | 26 |
Lifting with arms/hands | 12 |
Raising arms | 7 |
Staying still | 2 |
Impact to leisure, recreational or exercise | 24 |
Fatigue, lethargy | 9 |
Difficulty adjusting the body due to pain from RA | 4 |
Sexual dysfunction | 2 |
Emotional functioning | 32 |
“I was just thinking how much [pain from RA has] affected my life and how miserable I am.” (Female, age 52) | |
Sadness, depression | 24 |
Irritability, snappishness | 17 |
Difficulty enjoying life/activities | 15 |
Discouraged | 14 |
Frustration, stress | 14 |
Fear, anxiety | 10 |
Burdensomeness | 8 |
Anger | 5 |
Embarrassment | 5 |
Self-consciousness | 5 |
Increased sensitivity | 3 |
Guilt | 2 |
Role functioning | 32 |
“[Pain from RA] was affecting my other job because my other job required me to move around more. I had to get a job now where I can sit down in front of two monitors.” (Male, age 45) | |
Difficulty performing chores/errands | 29 |
Impacts on work | 21 |
Role changes, needing assistance | 19 |
Difficulty leaving the house | 13 |
Difficulty driving | 4 |
Social functioning | 31 |
“I don’t go out, … because of the pain. I don’t like being around a bunch of people.” (Male, age 65) | |
Unable to participate | 29 |
Personal relationships | 22 |
Social isolation | 19 |
Difficulty planning, having to cancel | 16 |
Misunderstood by others | 15 |
Masking symptoms | 6 |
Activities of daily living | 23 |
“Some days I think, “Oh, I’m going to take a long walk.” I don’t – that day I might not even get out of bed. That day I might not even be able to put my shoes on. Because my feet hurt so bad.” (Female, age 36) | |
Reduced activity | 17 |
Difficulty dressing | 13 |
Difficulty washing/grooming | 10 |
Difficulty toileting | 5 |
Difficulty eating | 1 |
Cognitive functioning | 22 |
“If I’m concentrating on a task at hand and I’m having to do some things, [the pain] very much hampers my concentration because I cannot actually fulfill what I’m trying to do because I’m too busy paying attention to my pain.” (Male, age 37) | |
Difficulty concentrating | 19 |
Difficulty remembering | 9 |