A Comparative Study on Symptoms, Living Activities, Self-efficacy and Family Support between Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients and Fibromyalgia Patients

류마티스관절염과 섬유조직염환자의 증상, 일상생활, 자기효능 및 가족지지 비교 연구

This study was conducted to compare symptoms, living activities, self-efficacy and family support between rheumatoid arthritis patients and fibromyalgia patients. The subjects were consisted of 150 rheumatoid arthritis patients and 125 fibromyalgia patients at H Rheumatism Clinic. Data were collected by means of structured interview with questionnaires. The results were as follows: 1. Fibromyalgia patients have more symptoms than rheumatoid arthritis patients have. But the latter has more difficulties concerning living activities. 2. Self-efficacy score of fibromyalgia arthritis patients was higher than that of rheumatoid arthritis patients, but both the scores were at moderate level. 3. The level of family support of rheumatoid arthritis patients was moderate, similar as that of fibromyalgia patients. As self-efficacy and family support are important factors to relieve symptoms of both diseases, their promotion holds a key post.