Özet:

Purpose: In patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), we aimed at evaluating muscle strength and identifying various factors, including structural joint damage that may affect the reduction of muscle strength. In this study, the relationship between muscle strength and quality of life and functional insufficiency was studied. Tools and Methods: Seventy-five RA patients and 51 examinations were taken. The demographic characteristics, body mass index, back circle, 25 hydroxy vitamin D’s global evaluation of the patient’s disease activity [patient global assessments of disease activity (PGA)] were recorded. Disease Activity Score - 28 [Disease Activity Score-28 (DAS28)], Visual Analog Scale (VAS) - pain Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) and Rheumatoid Arthritis Quality of Life Questionnaire (RAQoL) were calculated. Hand radiographs were evaluated by Van der Heijde modified Sharp score (vdHSS). Jamar dynamometers measure the capability of both hands. Results: Demographic characteristics (age, gender) were not different between RA patients and the control group. The perception of patients with RA was lower than the control group (22,79±18,58) (26,00±11,25; p=0,04). There was a meaningful correlation between perceptive strength and disease time, "tender joint count", VAS- pain, PGA, DAS28, HAQ, RAQoL, erosion and compression score (p<0,05). Multi-variable analyses found that DAS28 and erosion score were associated with capability (p<0,05). Result: This study has shown that RA reduces muscle strength and causes functional failure and deterioration in the quality of life. The range of the joints and the activity of the disease are the main parameters that affect muscle strength.

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