Mental Health and Sleep Quality of Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is one of the most common autoimmune diseases causing many physical and mental complications, and disorders in patients. This study aimed to evaluate the mental health and sleep quality of RA patients referred to the Rafsanjan Rhematology Clinic. This descriptive-analytical study was conducted on 35 patients and 35 healthy people referring to Rheumatology Clinic of Rafsanjan. Data collection tools included demographic information, Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale 21 (DASS21), and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Then, the data were analyzed by SPSS 20 and using independent t-test, Chi-square, and multivariate analysis of covariance. The total score of DASS21 indicated that stress, anxiety, and depression in the patient was significantly higher than the healthy group. In comparison to the healthy group, patients' mean total scores for sleep and all of its subscales (apart from subjective sleep quality) were considerably higher (P = 0.001). The mean total score of sleep, and all its subscales (except the subjective sleep quality) in the patients was significantly higher than the healthy group, indicating that they had a lower sleep quality. Based on the results of our study, mental health, and sleep quality are common problems in RA patients. Therefore, along with standard treatments for the disease, attention should be paid to mental health, and sleep status of affected patients.