Quality of life for women with arthritis

The purpose of this study is to describe the quality of life for women with arthritis using using the Flanagan Quality of Life Scale developed originally on a randomly selected population of Americans. Two hundred twenty‐five women with chronic arthritis responded to the Scale. When compared to women in Flanagan's study, the women with arthritis placed significantly more importance on passive recreational activity and on a close relationship with their spouse or significant other and significantly less importance on participating in governmental or local affairs. They were most satisfied with their material comforts, relationships with relatives and close friends, helping and encouraging others, and passive recreation but were considerably less satisfied with their health, work, and participation in active recreation. Overall, the Flanagan Quality of Life Scale reflected a difference in quality of life that may be attributable to the effects of arthritis in this group of women.