Estrés y calidad de vida en pacientes con artritis reumatoide del Hospital de Especialidades José Carrasco Arteaga de la ciudad de Cuenca, 2023

Abstract

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease that affects the joints, before symptoms of inflammation, pain, stiffness and loss of mobility. This process can cause joint damage and functional limitation, as well as deteriorate the patient's personal, emotional, family, social and work life, becoming a source of stress that impacts the quality of life and well-being of those who suffer from the pathology. When considering this problem, the following general objective was proposed: to analyze the relationship between perceived stress and the different domains of quality of life in patients with rheumatoid arthritis at the José Carrasco Arteaga Specialty Hospital in the city of Cuenca, 2023. This is a study with a quantitative approach, non-experimental design, cross-sectional and correlational scope, which involved 150 patients. To collect data, a sociodemographic form, the Perceived Stress Scale (EEP-14) and the World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale (WHOQOL-BREF) were used. Subsequently, data tabulation and analysis was carried out in Microsoft Excel and in the SPSS-25 statistical program, using descriptive statistics. The results obtained reflected that there is a correlation between perceived stress and the different domains of quality of life (physical health, psychological health, social relationships and environment). In conclusion, the results of this study could imply that perceived stress can negatively influence the quality of life of those who suffer from this medical condition, because it can exacerbate symptoms and at the same time complicate the control of the disease.