Improvement of work ability, quality of life, and fatigue in patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated with adalimumab.

Abstract

To assess the effect of 12-month treatment with adalimumab on work ability, quality of life, and fatigue in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA). One hundred twenty-six patients with active RA started treatment with adalimumab. Primary outcome measurements were work ability, assessed by the first item of the Work Ability Index, quality of life, assessed by the Rheumatoid Arthritis Quality of Life (RAQoL) instrument, and fatigue, assessed by the Checklist Individual Strength and the Need for Recovery after work Scale. All primary outcome measurements showed a significant improvement. The largest improvement for all outcome measurements was gained in the first 6 months of treatment and was sustained over the following 6 months. Adalimumab improves patient reported outcomes in addition to improving disease activity in established RA.