To determine how health related quality of life (HRQL) is perceived by patients with rheumatoid
arthritis (RA) and chronic low back pain (CLBP) using a textual analysis approach. Patients: Twohundred
and forty-eight outpatients (85% female), mean age 58±13 years (40% RA and 60% CLBP).
Methods: Observational descriptive study. Sociodemographic and clinical variables were determined. A
questionnaire was designed which included an open question ‘‘What does health related quality of life mean
to you.’’ which patients answered in writing. Textual data analysis was performed using a previous described
method based on multivariate descriptive statistical methods. Results: The two groups were
homogenous with respect to gender, educational level, disease duration, comorbid conditions and global
functional status. Patients with RA and CLBP used clearly differentiated terms to describe HRQL (RA: to
be able (capable), house; CLBP: life, health, quality). RA patients were specific and primarily concerned
with functional status and CLBP patients with health and life. The most characteristic phrase used by RA
patients was: ‘‘to be able to do housework’’ and for CLBP: ‘‘health is the most important thing for quality
of life.’’ In the factorial representation, the two pathologies were markedly separated. Conclusions: A series
of characteristic answers on HRQL may be identified in patients with RA and CLBP, showing that they
have different perceptions about what HRQL is according to their pathology. The use of open questions in
a group of homogenous patients with specific pathologies could result in more disease-specific responses.
Textual statistical analysis of open questions may provide more information than standard methods, and
may be considered as valid for the analysis of subjective issues such as quality of life.
To determine how health related quality of life (HRQL) is perceived by patients with rheumatoidarthritis (RA) and chronic low back pain (CLBP) using a textual analysis approach. Patients: Twohundredand forty-eight outpatients (85% female), mean age 58±13 years (40% RA and 60% CLBP).Methods: Observational descriptive study. Sociodemographic and clinical variables were determined. Aquestionnaire was designed which included an open question ‘‘What does health related quality of life meanto you.’’ which patients answered in writing. Textual data analysis was performed using a previous describedmethod based on multivariate descriptive statistical methods. Results: The two groups werehomogenous with respect to gender, educational level, disease duration, comorbid conditions and globalfunctional status. Patients with RA and CLBP used clearly differentiated terms to describe HRQL (RA: tobe able (capable), house; CLBP: life, health, quality). RA patients were specific and primarily concernedwith functional status and CLBP patients with health and life. The most characteristic phrase used by RApatients was: ‘‘to be able to do housework’’ and for CLBP: ‘‘health is the most important thing for qualityof life.’’ In the factorial representation, the two pathologies were markedly separated. Conclusions: A seriesof characteristic answers on HRQL may be identified in patients with RA and CLBP, showing that theyhave different perceptions about what HRQL is according to their pathology. The use of open questions ina group of homogenous patients with specific pathologies could result in more disease-specific responses.Textual statistical analysis of open questions may provide more information than standard methods, andmay be considered as valid for the analysis of subjective issues such as quality of life.
การแปล กรุณารอสักครู่..