The Relationship between Self-reported Chronic Pain and Pain related Functional Limitations among Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Chronic pain of patients with rheumatoid arthritis is a very exhausting complaintfor them either physically, socially, emotionally, or economically. Chronic pain has a vital role in determining the functional abilities of patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Aim: Determine the relationship between self-reported chronic pain and pain related functional limitations among patientswith rheumatoid arthritis. Subjects and method:Setting: Rheumatoid outpatient clinics of Mansoura UniversityHospital.Subjects: 178 patientswere recruited. Tools: Three tools were used for datacollection: 1) Socio-demographic and Clinical Data of Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis Structured Interview Schedule, 2) Self-Reported Chronic Pain Assessment of Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis Structured Interview Schedule, 3) Pain Related Functional Limitations Assessment of Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis Structured Interview Schedule. Results: More than one half of the study subjects reported greater suffering from chronic pain such as longer duration of chronic pain history, frequent daily pain which persist for longer duration oftime and characterized by greater level of severity. Also, the similar percentage of them reported severe level of pain related functional limitations. Conclusion: Suffering from chronic pain is significantly associated with greater level of pain related functional limitations among the study subjects. Recommendations: nurses should assesspatientsfor their pain history, and their perceived pain related functional limitations. The nurse should act collaboratively with the patients and health team members to alleviate the patients' suffering and pains to enhance their functional abilities and to decrease their functionallimitations.