S Athari Nik Azm, Mr Vafa, I Nourmohammadi, A Bidari, A Hoshyarrad, Sh Jazayeri, F Hoseini, M Fasihi Radmandi,
Volume 5, Issue 3 (12-2009)
Abstract
Background & Objectives: oxygen free radicals have been implicated as mediators of tissue damage in RA patients. This study was aimed to find the effects of vitamin A, C and zinc supplementations on oxidant–antioxidant, inflammatory and clinical indices in inactive RA patients.
Methods: We designed a randomized controlled trial. Forty nine (49) patients were randomly allocated in two groups group I received their conventional treatment plus 300 mg vitamin C, 5 mg Zinc daily and 25000 IU vitamin A every other day for 12 weeks, group II received their conventional treatment only for the same duration. Disease activity (using the rheumatoid arthritis disease activity index (RADAI) score), biochemical indices [malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant capacity (TAC)] and inflammatory markers [erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), c-reactive protein (CRP)] was evaluated before and after 12 weeks.
Results: Serum concentration of MDA and RADAI score (P<0.0001) and ESR (P=0.033) were significantly decreased and TAC levels (P<0.0001) were significantly increased in the first group in comparison to second group after 12 weeks. However, there were no statistically significant differences in serum CRP concentration of two groups (P>0.05).
Conclusions: This study indicates that adding antioxidants as supplementations with conventional medications in inactive RA patients plays an important role in improving oxidative stress and decreasing disease activity and inflammatory status.
N Moghimi, Gh Moradi, Sh Amiri, A Saeedi,
Volume 16, Issue 1 (6-2020)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, progressive disease of the joints that presents with articular and systemic symptoms. The purpose of this study was to determine the quality of life in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and its relationship with body mass index.
Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was performed in 195 patients with rheumatoid arthritis in Tohid Hospital, Sanandaj, Iran. The data collection tool was a questionnaire including demographic and clinical characteristics. The SF-36 instrument was used to evaluate the quality of life.
Results: In the study, 40% of men and 58% of women had a disease severity higher than 2.6 according to the Disease Activity Score 28. There was a significant difference in all dimensions of quality of life including physical function, energy / fatigue and general health between men and women (P <0.05). All dimensions of quality of life were inversely correlated with BMI. There was a significant relationship between the disease severity and each of the dimensions of pain, general health and general changes (P <0.05).
Conclusion: Quality of life in patients with rheumatoid arthritis is correlated with body mass index and severity of rheumatoid arthritis; therefore, it seems that health policy makers or clinical practitioners need to pay more attention to these two factors to increase the patients’ quality of life.