Table 1.
Socio-demographic, and rheumatic and non-rheumatic characteristics of the participants
| Characteristics | N (total = 20) | |
|---|---|---|
| Gender | ||
| Female | 17 | |
| Male | 3 | |
| Age range (year) | ||
| 32–49 | 8 | |
| 50–65 | 11 | |
| > 65 | 1 | |
| Relationship status | ||
| Single/divorced/widowed | 7 | |
| In relationship/married | 11 | |
| Unknown | 2 | |
| Educational status (highest degree obtained) | ||
| Primary school or less | 2 | |
| Secondary school | 2 | |
| Intermediate vocational school | 10 | |
| University (of applied sciences) | 6 | |
| Employment status | ||
| Unemployed/homemaker | 2 | |
| Paid work | 16 | |
| Retired | 2 | |
| Rheumatic symptoms a | ||
| Arthralgia | ||
| Upper extremities | 4 | |
| Lower extremities | 2 | |
| Both upper and lower extremities | 10 | |
| Arthritis (joint swelling and/or stiffness) | ||
| Upper extremities | 1 | |
| Lower extremities | 6 | |
| Both upper and lower extremities | 2 | |
| Joint cramps or locking | ||
| Upper extremities | 2 | |
| Lower extremities | 0 | |
| Both upper and lower extremities | 1 | |
| Myalgia | 1 | |
| Non-rheumatic symptoms a | ||
| Fatigue | 4 | |
| Emotional distress b | 3 | |
| Comorbidities a | ||
| Cardiovascular disease | 3 | |
| Hypertension | 7 | |
| Diabetes mellitus | 3 | |
| Othersc | 4 | |
aMore then one answer was possible; bLoss of vitality, sombreness, stress, anxiety, and mood swings; cAnaemia, asthma, and hyperthyroid