Assessment of quality of life in rheumatology patients using the SF-36 questionnaire

Quality of life assessment is one of the important criteria for evaluating the effectiveness of prescribed therapy. Treating patients with rheumatological conditions requires a comprehensive approach to achieve the desired outcomes. Patients' self-assessment of their condition is a crucial outcome of the therapy. A study was conducted to assess the quality of life of patients with rheumatological conditions using the standard SF-36 questionnaire. The study included questionnaires from 84 patients aged 22 to 68 years. It was found that rheumatology patients have reduced scores in both physical functioning and psychological aspects. Men showed more significant reductions in physical functioning compared to women, while women had predominantly lower scores in psychological health. The data analysis allows for the evaluation and adjustment of treatment based on these findings.