A COMPARATIVE-STUDY OF FUNCTIONAL PERFORMANCE BETWEEN MALE AND FEMALERHEUMATOID-ARTHRITIS PATIENTS AT (RJRC)

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to compare the functional dis ability between male and female rheumatoid arthritis patients measured by the Stanford Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Scale (HAQ ). Methods: This is a prospective study of 150 rheumatoid arthritis pa tients seen in the rheumatology clinic at the Royal Jordanian Rehabili tation Center during a 10 week period in 1194. One hundred and twenty seven were females and 23 were males with a mean age of 46 years. Pati ents were assessed using standardized clinical, biochemical and radiog raphic examination. Functional disability was measured using the Stanf ord Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Scale. Results: The res ults suggest that there is significant differences between males and f emales for HAQ score (mean score M=1.07, F=1,5. p=0.05) and for hemogl obin (means (SD) M=13.5 (1.2), F=12.0 (1.6)gldl, p<0.01 but not for ot her parameters. Conclusion: The data suggest that the impact of rheuma toid arthritis has a greater effect on the functional status of women.