Performance in leisure-time physical activities and self-efficacy in females with rheumatoid arthritis.

The purpose of this study was to examine leisure-time physical activities (LTPAs) and their association with self-efficacy in females with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) (n = 238). Their self-reported performance in LTPAs was measured by the Interest Checklist and efficacy beliefs by using the Arthritis Self-Efficacy Scales (ASES). LTPAs were classified as active or less active according to how many LTPAs they performed. The participants had reduced their participation in LTPAs by almost one-third during the last year. Active individuals performed the vigorous activities more often, they had a higher level of education, were working to a significantly greater extent, and reported better function, higher scores on the self-efficacy scales, and lower joint pain and fatigue. Multivariate analyses demonstrated that a high level of LTPAs was independently related to less fatigue (OR 0.98, p = 0.004), positive self-efficacy in coping with RA functions (OR 1.03, p = 0.015), and higher employment level (OR 0.42, p = 0.039). Only a quarter of the responders were physically active in their leisure time in the present study. Less active individuals reduced their performance in LTPAs to a much higher degree than active individuals during the last year. Partaking in a high amount of LTPAs was related to less fatigue and higher efficacy beliefs.

Women with rheumatoid arthritis: non-vocational activities and quality of life.

The aim of this study was to examine a possible relationship between partaking in non-vocational activities and health-related quality of life in women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Two questionnaires were completed by 45 women with RA aged from 25 to 80. The MOS Short-Form 36 (SF-36) measured the health-related quality of life and the Interest Checklist measured the amount of non-vocational activities performed. The present study revealed a significant decrease in non-vocational activities by the participants during the last 10 years. Mental health status seemed to be of greater importance than physical function to perform non-vocational activities in daily life. There were indications that a high number of activities performed correlated positively with scores on psychological well-being, and that a low amount of activities performed correlated with the psychological distress scores.