Description

The Effects of Rheumatoid Arthritis on Health and Lifestyle (RAHL) scale is a tool designed to assess the impact of rheumatoid arthritis on patients’ health and lifestyle. This scale measures aspects such as physical health, psychological effects, quality of life, and daily living activities in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Analysis and Use of Data

Data Collection: Data is collected through self-report questionnaires where patients assess the impact of rheumatoid arthritis on their daily life. Responses are based on various aspects of health and functionality, such as pain, mobility, and social activities.

Data Analysis: The data is analyzed to determine the severity of the disease’s impact on different areas of the patient’s life. The analysis may include comparisons between patient groups or pre- and post-treatment studies.

Purpose

The purpose of the RAHL scale is to evaluate the physical, psychological, and social effects of rheumatoid arthritis on patients. This assessment helps clinicians better understand patients’ needs and adjust treatments to improve their quality of life.

Scoring

The scale is scored using a Likert system, where patients rate the intensity of their symptoms and the disease’s impact. Higher scores indicate a greater effect of rheumatoid arthritis on daily life, while lower scores reflect a lesser impact.

Bibliography

Pincus, T., & Callahan, L. F. (1992). “What is the natural history of rheumatoid arthritis?” The Rheumatic Disease Clinics of North America, 18(1), 123-151.

Arnett, F. C., et al. (1988). “The American Rheumatism Association 1987 revised criteria for the classification of rheumatoid arthritis.” Arthritis & Rheumatism, 31(3), 315-324.

Hawley, D. J., & Wolfe, F. (1991). “Functional impairment in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.” The Journal of Rheumatology, 18(9), 1290-1297.