Self-perceived Quality of Life in South Asian and British White Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients in the East Midlands, UK

It has been suggested that South Asian patients with RA report increased levels of pain and demonstrated increased disease severity as compared to the British white population. This study assesses the self-perceived quality of life in South Asian RA patients compared to White British RA patients. 131 South Asian (SA) and 134 British White (BW) RA patients from the East Midlands participated in the study as a part of ongoing studies on RA pathogenesis by completing the qualitative lifestyle questionnaire. The SA patients developed RA significantly earlier than BW patients (χ2 = 21.01, P = 0.001, df = 5). Compared to the BW, a majority of SA perceived the disease to be severe (χ2 = 8.57, P < 0.05, df = 3). They also reported higher pain (χ2 = 26.12, P < 0.05, df = 3), reduced mobility (χ2 = 17.57, P < 0.004, df = 5) and reduced physical activity performed (χ2 = 17.94, P < 0.0005, df = 3). Reduced mobility and a decrease in physical activity may be associated with a higher perception of RA-related pain among South Asians. This may have important public health implications in terms of disease progression and treatment modalities.