Abstract
In patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), functions of activities of daily living (ADL) are often limited to a great extent and the patient's quality of life (QOL) is not a little disturbed. In this study, the possible relation between clinical results and QOL was examined in RA patients who received total knee arthroplasty (TKA) . Subjects included 17 RA patients, with 28 affected knees, who received total condylar type TKA. Observation period after operation averaged 6 years and 4 months. By direct examination and questionnaire, clinical results were assessed according to the JOA score, and QOL according to the Arthritis Impact Measurement Score (AIMS), together with results of the questionnaire concerning patient satisfaction. TKA was sat isfactory in 82.4% of the subjects, mainly due to diminished pain. Furthermore, a strong posi tive correlation was observed between the physical factors of AIMS and JOA scoring. According to the AIMS, mental factors were the most remarkably improved after operation. In addition, results of the questionnaire indicated that leg function improved in many cases after operation, enhancing patient satisfaction. Even in those patients with unfavorable JOA scoring results, some expressed a high level of satisfaction due to improved social and/or mental factors.
