Influence of socio-demographic factors on health-related quality of life in patients with inflammatory joint diseases

Abstract Background This study was conducted to describe differences in self-reported health-related quality of life (HRQoL) for patients with inflammatory joint disease (IJD) related to sociodemographic factors. Methods The data were collected through an anonymous survey in a cross-sectional study...

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Main Authors: Stefka Stoilova, Daniela Taneva, Mariela Geneva-Popova, Teodora Dimcheva, Stanislava Popova-Belova
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-08-01
Series:BMC Rheumatology
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s41927-025-00550-7
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author Stefka Stoilova
Daniela Taneva
Mariela Geneva-Popova
Teodora Dimcheva
Stanislava Popova-Belova
author_facet Stefka Stoilova
Daniela Taneva
Mariela Geneva-Popova
Teodora Dimcheva
Stanislava Popova-Belova
author_sort Stefka Stoilova
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background This study was conducted to describe differences in self-reported health-related quality of life (HRQoL) for patients with inflammatory joint disease (IJD) related to sociodemographic factors. Methods The data were collected through an anonymous survey in a cross-sectional study of 261 patients with IJD- rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA). The patients’ health status was assessed using a standard questionnaire [EQ-5D-3L]. Results The results showed no significant differences related to the type of JDC in any domain of patients’ quality of life. Among the demographic factors, social status showed a significant association with all aspects of patients’ HRQoL: mobility ratings (p = 0.002), self-care ratings (p < 0.001), usual activities (p < 0.001), pain or discomfort (p = 0.039), anxiety or depression (p = 0.001). Anxiety and depression were more common among women than men (p = 0.033). Men rated their health higher on the EQ-VAS scale (p = 0.036). Working patients reported better health than retirees (p = 0.008), and disability pensioners (p < 0.001). Better health was associated with higher levels of education (p < 0.001). Patients with elementary education provided the lowest ratings while patients with higher degrees gave the highest ratings. Patients living in villages reported better health than those from urban areas (p = 0.019). Social class, education, and place of residence accounted for 17.9% of the variance in EQ-VAS scores. Conclusion Understanding the role of sociodemographic factors is crucial to promote improved patient care and better healthcare resources. The results of our study can serve as a benchmark for future studies to assess the influence of sociodemographic factors among patients with other subtypes of IJD.
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spelling doaj-art-1a809ac46d2742d781edc7ad088b4fa22025-08-20T03:46:16ZengBMCBMC Rheumatology2520-10262025-08-01911910.1186/s41927-025-00550-7Influence of socio-demographic factors on health-related quality of life in patients with inflammatory joint diseasesStefka Stoilova0Daniela Taneva1Mariela Geneva-Popova2Teodora Dimcheva3Stanislava Popova-Belova4Faculty of Public Health, Department of Health Care Management, Medical University – PlovdivFaculty of Public Health, Department of Nursing, Medical University – PlovdivFaculty of Medicine, Department of Propaedeutics of Internal Diseases, Medical University – PlovdivFaculty of Public Health, Department of Medical Informatics, Biostatistics end e-Learning, Medical University – PlovdivFaculty of Medicine, Department of Propaedeutics of Internal Diseases, Medical University – PlovdivAbstract Background This study was conducted to describe differences in self-reported health-related quality of life (HRQoL) for patients with inflammatory joint disease (IJD) related to sociodemographic factors. Methods The data were collected through an anonymous survey in a cross-sectional study of 261 patients with IJD- rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA). The patients’ health status was assessed using a standard questionnaire [EQ-5D-3L]. Results The results showed no significant differences related to the type of JDC in any domain of patients’ quality of life. Among the demographic factors, social status showed a significant association with all aspects of patients’ HRQoL: mobility ratings (p = 0.002), self-care ratings (p < 0.001), usual activities (p < 0.001), pain or discomfort (p = 0.039), anxiety or depression (p = 0.001). Anxiety and depression were more common among women than men (p = 0.033). Men rated their health higher on the EQ-VAS scale (p = 0.036). Working patients reported better health than retirees (p = 0.008), and disability pensioners (p < 0.001). Better health was associated with higher levels of education (p < 0.001). Patients with elementary education provided the lowest ratings while patients with higher degrees gave the highest ratings. Patients living in villages reported better health than those from urban areas (p = 0.019). Social class, education, and place of residence accounted for 17.9% of the variance in EQ-VAS scores. Conclusion Understanding the role of sociodemographic factors is crucial to promote improved patient care and better healthcare resources. The results of our study can serve as a benchmark for future studies to assess the influence of sociodemographic factors among patients with other subtypes of IJD.https://doi.org/10.1186/s41927-025-00550-7Socio-demographic factorsHealth status assessmentInflammatory joint diseasesHealth-related quality of lifeEQ-5D-3L
spellingShingle Stefka Stoilova
Daniela Taneva
Mariela Geneva-Popova
Teodora Dimcheva
Stanislava Popova-Belova
Influence of socio-demographic factors on health-related quality of life in patients with inflammatory joint diseases
BMC Rheumatology
Socio-demographic factors
Health status assessment
Inflammatory joint diseases
Health-related quality of life
EQ-5D-3L
title Influence of socio-demographic factors on health-related quality of life in patients with inflammatory joint diseases
title_full Influence of socio-demographic factors on health-related quality of life in patients with inflammatory joint diseases
title_fullStr Influence of socio-demographic factors on health-related quality of life in patients with inflammatory joint diseases
title_full_unstemmed Influence of socio-demographic factors on health-related quality of life in patients with inflammatory joint diseases
title_short Influence of socio-demographic factors on health-related quality of life in patients with inflammatory joint diseases
title_sort influence of socio demographic factors on health related quality of life in patients with inflammatory joint diseases
topic Socio-demographic factors
Health status assessment
Inflammatory joint diseases
Health-related quality of life
EQ-5D-3L
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s41927-025-00550-7
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