Relation of self esteem on patients with rheumatoi̇d arthritis with comorbidity and disease activity

Aim: The aim of this study is to evaluate the relation of self-respect that is evaluated with Rosenberg Self Esteem Scale with comorbidity and disease activity on patients that are diagnosed as RA. Material and Method: RA patients, fulfilling EULAR categorizing criteria consulting Celal Bayar University Medical Faculty Rheumatology Field are included into this study. Demographic features, variables regarding disease are interrogated for each patient and the patients are evaluated in terms of additional diseases, drug use and disease activity. Self-respect is evaluated by using Rosenberg Self Esteem Scale. Disease activity is evaluated with DAS 28; pain is with VAS and life quality is evaluated with HAQ survey. Findings: In our study, lower levels in self esteem according to general population are observed on our patients. Self esteem is diagnosed to be meaningful statistically with comorbidity number and disease activity. Result: Based upon such findings, it is seen that self respect is lower on RA patients when compared with general population and it is diagnosed that this condition is affinitive with life quality, disease activity, accompanying comorbidity number. Key Words: Rheumatoid Arthritis, Self-respect, Disease Activity, Comorbidity, Rosenbers Self Esteem Scale (RSES)