This document summarizes a thesis that examines the quality of life of arthritic women and their ability to perform activities of daily living in Barangay __, Zone __, ______ City. It provides background on arthritis and activities of daily living. The study aims to determine if the women's age is significantly related to their ability to perform daily tasks. Thirty-seven women with arthritis between ages 25-65 were surveyed about their health and ability to perform activities. The results found that as the women grew older, their ability to move declined in relation to their arthritis.

1. QUALITY OF LIFE OF ARTHRITIC WOMEN AS TO THEIR ABILITY <br />TO PERFORM ACTIVITIES OF DAILY LIVING AT <br />BARANGAY __, ZONE __ _________ CITY<br />_________________<br />A Thesis<br />Presented to<br />The College of Nursing<br />________________________________________<br />_________________<br />In Partial Fulfillment<br />Of the Requirements for the Course<br />Introduction to Nursing Research<br />_________________<br />Presented by:<br />_____________________________<br />March 18,2005<br />DEDICATION<br />Every man experiences passion and sense of fulfillment when he dares to take heed of the call of his inner being. Part of this call is the aspiration for a brighter future for mankind. We chose to be part of it --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------share their appreciations with our achievements; to our friends who are always there to support us in our ups and downs; to our professors in AUP who helped us build and enhance our foundation in this career; and to all of you who find our work significantly important for the improvement of the solicitude we, nurses give to our patients.<br />ACKNOWLEDGEMENT<br />We, the researchers, would like to express our sincere gratitude to the following individuals who made this study possible:<br />Ms. ____________, our college dean, for wholeheartedly sharing her knowledge regarding the principles of nursing research.<br />Ms. __________________, ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />Mr.___________, our statistician, for helping us to analyze and to interpret the results of our surveys.<br />To the hospitable residents of Brgy __, Zone __, _____ City, for sharing their time and giving us chance to interact with them.<br />May you all find grace in the loving name of the Almighty God.<br />THESIS ABSTRACT<br />QUALITY OF LIFE OF ARTHRITIC WOMEN AS TO THEIR ABILITY <br />TO PERFORM ACTIVITIES OF DAILY LIVING AT <br />BARANGAY __, ZONE __ ______ CITY<br />By:<br />___________________<br />College of Nusing<br />__________________<br />Arthritis drives millions of sufferers to their physicians --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------declared year 2000-2010 the Bone and Joint Decade.<br />The framework for this study was derived from Orem’s Theory of Self-care. Self-care is defined as what individuals do to --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------decision-making to the patient.<br />With these alarming facts, the researchers intended to investigate the ability of women having arthritis--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------their activities of daily living. It was also compared to their age.<br />The study aimed to determine if age of these women are significantly related to their ability to perform such activities.<br />The --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------descriptive method of sampling in gathering pertinent data.<br />Respondents were gathered in accordance with the principle of --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------only.<br />With the use of survey questionnaires, the researches obtained the relevant data from the chosen respondents. There were thirty-seven women with arthritis identified.<br />After statistical analysis and interpretation had been established, --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------the time. Respondents were also grouped into three categories according to their age. It also showed significant difference on their ability to perform the --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------as they grow older, their ability to move about declines in relation to arthritis.<br />CHAPTER I<br />THE PROBLEM<br />A. Introduction<br />Arthritis drives millions of sufferers to their physicians each year, seeking relief from the pain, immobility and deformity it can cause. In the United States alone, --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Health Organization, surveys involving developing countries such as Brazil, Chile, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico, Pakistan, and the Philippines showed that the burden of arthritis in such lands is almost equal to that --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------how stressful it is that every movement and motion you make with an afflicted joint causes you distressing pain. Joint pain, stiffness and other symptoms of arthritis can make daily living a challenge. It is possible that active life can become a lot harder. Swollen, tender joints can turn even the simplest task like dressing, washing, or brushing your hair into a real challenge. Tasks, habits and --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------intend to gather supportive data regarding this and identify if arthritis really affect the quality of life of these sufferers, based on their ability to perform effectively and safely their activities of daily living. <br />B. Statement of the Problem<br />To give direction to this study, the question, “Are --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------in doing activities of daily living significantly related to their age?” was formulated.<br />C. Hypothesis<br />Living with arthritis also means learning to cope with its chronic signs and symptoms. Among these, pain and joint stiffness can --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------of daily activities of women having arthritis when they are grouped by their age” was expressed.<br />D. Significance of Study:<br />This study was not only intended to benefit the subjects. Rather, it aims to impart knowledge and direct all those involved in the care of arthritic women towards a more efficient way of rendering support and holistic solicitude.<br />Nursing Education<br />Students:<br /> A nursing student’s knowledge --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------to produce an excellent care for the sufferers. This could be due to lack of exposure or unawareness of the disease’s course of progression. With the increasing incidence of arthritis, it is important that nursing students take their --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------then be established. They can give the necessary support and conduct appropriate health teachings as they do their bedside cares.<br />Faculty:<br />For the faculty, this study will give them better ideas where to focus their initial teachings with the nursing students. With its results, this --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------with arthritis and where to give emphasis upon rendition of care to promote optimum health.<br />Nursing Service<br />For the whole nursing team/service, this can help them establish correlated interventions and improve aspects of care that needs further improvement--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------of arthritis in general. How much supervision and assistance with the performance of activities of daily living by arthritic individuals can also be reflected in this study.<br />Nursing Research<br />Generally, this research is intended to identify whether arthritic women find their condition --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------contribute to the whole nursing research course by gathering supportive data with regards to the quality of life of arthritic women. Findings can become significant in initiating further study, thus giving the sufferers new hope and information about their condition. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------care of arthritic patients (particularly women in this study).<br />E. Scope and Limitations<br />The scope of this study was women with arthritis, with age of 25 and above. There were thirty-seven respondents. Marital status was irrelevant. The local of --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------assist in reducing the public health impact of arthritis among women, priorities in the assessment of this problem include determining frequencies of arthritis in relations to --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------economic and societal burden of this condition in women.<br />CHAPTER II<br />RELATED LITERATURE<br />This chapter is composed of discussions of principles, facts and empirical data related to the topic. It includes a summary of literature and studies, which the researcher considers relevant and important in this present study.<br />Independent Variable:<br />Arthritis<br />--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------, and stiffness in other supporting structures of the body such as muscles, tendons, ligaments, bones, and internal organs. Throughout this FAQ the terms quot;
arthritisquot;
and quot;
rheumatic diseasesquot;
are sometimes used interchangeably (www.arthritis.com).<br />Dependent Variable:<br />Quality of Life/ Activities of Daily Living<br />--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------or intellectual conditions under which one lives (as distinct from material comfort) (www.thefreedictionary.com).<br />--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------, dressing, toileting, and transferring (i.e., getting in and out of a bed or chair). When people are unable to perform these activities, they need help in order to cope, either from other human beings or mechanical devices or both. Problems performing the activities of daily living cut across diagnoses, but are especially prevalent among persons with arthritis and osteoporosis. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------problems performing the ADLs, prevalence rates are much higher for the elderly than for the non-elderly. Within the elderly population, --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------and over (www.fpnotebooks.com). <br />These are things people normally do in daily living including any daily activity they perform for self-care (such as feeding ourselves, bathing, dressing, grooming--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />A. Theoretical Framework<br />This --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------belief and preventive health actions is most likely to be affected by his perception and certain limiting factors. With regards to this study, the “perception” pertains to client’s belief regarding the effect of physical activity to her disease. On the other hand --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------towards health is not confined to only one variable. It reflects that a person acts accordingly to what he believes and to certain internal and external factors.<br />--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------activity replenishes lubrications to the cartilage of the joint and reduces stiffness and pain. Exercise also helps to enhance energy and stamina by decreasing fatigue and improving sleep. Exercise can enhance weight loss and promote long-term weight benefits to improve or modify arthritis (www.hopkins-arthritis.com).<br />--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------individuals do to maintain life, health, and well being, or those patient behaviors that affect their health and shift decision-making to the patient. Self-care agency is the individual’s own ability to perform self-care. Orem (1985) categorizes the concepts of self-perception as one of the basic capabilities of the self-care agent (individual). --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------inability to perform self-care. This nursing theory assumes that self-care is learned through human interaction and communication (Perry & Potter, 1993: 12-13).<br />Three types of self-care requisites identified by Orem’s (1985) model are termed universal, developmental, and health---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------cycle. Health-deviation self-care requisites concern overcoming illness or functioning with chronic disease. Health- deviation self-care requisites describe --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------intervention that relieve their pain and therefore provide a better quality of life.<br />The three nursing action system listed by Orem (1985) are wholly compensatory, partly compensatory, and supportive-educative. Wholly compensatory nursing concerns actions the nurse takes when compensating for a patient’s total --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------supportive-educative action when the patient can learn to perform self-care, but needs assistance.<br />Osteoarthritis patients usually seek care in a primary healthcare setting where nurse practitioners may use the --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------their discomfort, what treatments to use, and how to most effectively utilize those treatments.<br />Another tenet of this theory is that persons are capable --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------information concerning safe-effective interventions to relieve the chronic, intermittent pain of osteoarthritis, the nurse practitioners will use these interventions when necessary, thereby increasing the patient’s ability to provide universal and developmental self-care requisites.<br />B. Conceptual Framework<br />The magnitude of the activity and mobility problem was further suggested by the following and more precise figures. About 4 million persons or 2% of the total U.S. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Another 12 million were limited in major activity, concerning mobility, or the ability to move about freely. About 1.4 million Americans were confined to their houses, except in emergencies. 1.8 million needed the help of others or --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Just what kinds of conditions are chronic? The authors of the survey give these figures: (Strauss, 1984:2-3)<br />Heart Conditions16.4%Arthritis and Rheumatism14.8%Impairments of Back or Spine8.2%Mental and Nervous Conditions7.8%Impairments of Lower Extremities and Hips6.1%Visual Impairments5.6%Hypertension Without Heart Involvement5.4%<br />Chronic diseases are disproportionately intrusive on the lives of patients. The need to adjust to the demands --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------activity imposed by symptoms imply reorganization often radical of the sick person’s life-style, commitments and activities. Because the disease is for long term, the sick person cannot “--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Household routines must often be rearranged to accommodate physical limitations on activity; the use of equipments; the demands of the symptoms; or the scheduling regimen (Strauss, 1984:3).<br />People with chronic illness must also face the need to adjust their work lives in some degree to the demands of the disease. Even if the disease and its regimen are not --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Arthritis impact, defined as activity limitation caused by arthritis, was estimated using all women aged greater than or equal to 15 years participating in NHIS (National Health Interview Survey). Respondents were asked whether they were limited in working, housekeeping, or performing other activities as a result of health condition(s) and the condition(s) they considered to be responsible --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------women who attributed their activity limitation to arthritis were weighted to provide average annual prevalence estimates of the impact of arthritis among women aged greater than or equal to 15 years during 1989-1991 (www.arthritis--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------associated with arthritis increased directly with age and was 1.0% for women aged 15-44 years, 6.4% for women aged 45-64 years, and 14.2% for women aged greater than or equal to 65 years (www.arthritis.about.com).<br />The analysis in this report also documents higher prevalence of self-reported arthritis and related activity limitation among older --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------overweight are commonly recognized risk factors for arthritis. The cross-sectional analysis in this report precluded determination of whether overweight precedes or results from arthritis; however, overweight has been established as a risk factor for osteoarthritis of the knee (www.arthritis.com).<br />The amount of discomfort caused by this disease varies from person --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------people have mild to moderate pain that doesn't limit them much or at all. Sometimes there are periods of time without any pain or discomfort (www.arthritis.com).<br />Arthritis is a chronic or life long, disease that has no cure. The good news is that many advances have been made in arthritis --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------of pain relief methods and assistive devices, such as splints or braces. When arthritis is severe, surgery may be needed (www.4woman.gov).<br />--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------and stiffness in the joints. Some other common symptoms of arthritis are: (www.4woman.gov).<br />Swelling in one or more joints <br />Stiffness around the joints that lasts for a least one hour in the early morning <br />Joint pain or tenderness that is constant or comes and goes <br />Feeling like it's hard to use or move a joint Warmth or redness in a joint <br />--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------to effective treatment of any form. Destruction of cartilage is not reversible, and if the inflammation of arthritic disease isn’t treated, both cartilage and bone can be damaged, which makes the joints increasingly difficult to move. Most forms of arthritis cannot be cured, but can be controlled or brought into remission; perhaps only five percent of the most serious cases, usually of rheumatoid arthritis, --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------become clear that the problems associated with arthritis are not simply medical ones; it also appears to have a substantial impact on a person's functional capacity and quality of life (www.hopkins-arthritis.com). <br />The CDC report analyzed data, which had been gathered from 1996-1998 in 11 states using the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, a random telephone survey. The 11 states included Alabama, Arizona, Georgia, Hawaii, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Montana, New Jersey, Ohio, and Rhode --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------questions of the survey participants (www.arthritis.about.com):<br />During the past 12 months, have you had pain, aching, stiffness, or swelling in or around a joint? <br />Were these symptoms present on most days for at least one month? <br />Have you ever been told by a doctor that you have arthritis?<br />--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------were considered quot;
doctor-diagnosedquot;
. All others were defined as quot;
people without arthritisquot;
(www.arthritis.about.com).<br />Of the group of people surveyed, 29% reported that they had arthritis. Of that sub-group, 75% had doctor-diagnosed --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------General self-rated health <br />The number of days within the preceding 30 days when physical health was not good <br />The number of days within the preceding 30 days when mental health was not good <br />The number of days within the preceding 30 days when usual activities were limited <br />The number of unhealthy days (the total number of days physical or mental health were not good, not exceeding 30 days) <br />The results indicated that survey respondents with arthritis reported having fair or poor health about three times --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------for the 30 days preceding the survey: (www.arthritis.about.com)<br />4.2 more days when physical health was not good <br />1. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------2.3 more days when usual activities were limited<br />C. Conceptual Paradigm<br /> INDEPENDENT VARIABLE DEPENDENT VARIABLE <br /> Arthritic Women Ability to Perform ADLs<br />MEDIATOR VARIABLE<br />Age<br />D. Definition of terms<br />Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)- Tasks that the --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Age- Stages or phases in the lifetime of somebody or something.<br />Arthritis- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------activities of daily living.<br />Barangay __, Zone __, ____ City- Venue where the research had been --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------of this barangay.<br />Quality of Life- Contentment with everyday life: The degree of enjoyment and ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------being.<br />Women- Female gender.<br />CHAPTER III<br />METHODS AND PROCEDURE<br />This chapter presents the design of the research. It includes the method of research to be used, the method of collecting data and the development of the research instrument, the sampling design and the statistical treatment.<br />A. Method of Research<br />--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------_____ City. Descriptive method of research is something that goes beyond mere gathering and tabulating of data. It involves fact-finding, adequate and accurate interpretation of the findings and the elements of the significance of what is described. It describes with emphasis the present nature such as current practices, conditions, situations--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------factors affecting physical level of women with arthritis at Barangay __, Zone __, ____ City. The descriptive method of research showed to be the most appropriate method to be used. The value in using this kind of research is --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------certain phenomenon. <br />B. Sampling Design<br />The type of research used here is the purposive sampling because the respondents are chosen. The population samples of --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------residents of the said barangay. Thirty-seven women belonged to the qualified respondents’ status.<br />C. Instrumentation<br />To --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------of the study. For acquiring supportive data a direct observation and analysis of the records were applied.<br />Since variables being studied are abstract that they cannot be --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------degree of quality is given a weight. The quality response is divided into four degrees. To specify this, the following are identified: “4” as “Palagi”; “3” as “Malimit”; “2” as “Paminsan-minsan”; and “1” as “Hindi kailan man”.<br />D. General Procedure<br />The study process began with the submission of the proposal --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------from the barangay captain of Barangay __, Zone __, __ City. Before the observation, necessary explanation about the purpose and importance of the study was given. Sample questionnaires were personally handled to the patients for them to answer. Right after the respondents have --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------from the result of the study.<br />Bibliography<br />Anselm L. Strauss. Chronic illness and the Quality of life. Westline Industrial Drive, St. Louis, Missouri, 1984.<br />Compley A.L. A Comparative Analysis of Orem’s Self-care model and Peplav’s interp--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------. Journal of Advanced Nursing. Publication, 1994.<br />Dave D. Moore. Low intensity, individual Nursing care for elderly patient. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />Norman B. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------centre for policy on Aging. London, 1987.<br />Orem D.E. Nursing Conception of Nursing 3rd Edition. Hill, New York, 1985.<br />Orem D.E. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------of Nursing 4th Edition. Mosby Hill New York, 1990.<br />Reeds J. and Bonds. Nurses’ Assessment of elderly patient in the --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------, 1992.<br />www. Arthritis. Com<br />www. Nlm.nih.gov.com<br />www. Wordiq.com<br />