A NEW study highlights how socio-demographic factors such as education, employment, and living environment significantly influence health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with inflammatory joint diseases (IJD), including rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and axial spondyloarthritis.
Researchers surveyed 261 patients using the EQ-5D-3L questionnaire to assess mobility, self-care, daily activities, pain, and mental well-being. Interestingly, the type of joint disease did not affect quality of life scores—but demographic and social factors did.
Key findings revealed that employment, higher education, and rural residence were linked to better self-rated health. In contrast, retirees and disability pensioners reported poorer outcomes. Women were more likely to experience anxiety and depression, while men rated their overall health more positively. Education also emerged as a powerful determinant: patients with higher education levels consistently reported better quality of life compared to those with elementary schooling.
The study found that social class, education, and residence together explained nearly 18% of the variance in patients’ health scores, underscoring the strong role of socio-demographic conditions in shaping patient experiences.
“These results stress the importance of looking beyond clinical factors and recognizing the broader social context of disease,” the authors noted. The findings suggest that tailored support, educational initiatives, and better access to resources could help improve outcomes for vulnerable groups of patients with IJD.
Reference
Stoilova S et al. Influence of socio-demographic factors on health-related quality of life in patients with inflammatory joint diseases. BMC Rheumatol. 2025;DOI: 10.1186/s41927-025-00550-7.
