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. 2008 Jan 24;27(7):899–908. doi: 10.1007/s10067-007-0822-8

Table 1.

Characteristics of 156 patients with rheumatoid arthritis participating in a study on purpose in life

Characteristics  
Sociodemographic characteristics
Age, years (n = 156) 60 (24–87)
Male patients, n (%) (n = 156) 48 (31)
Living with partner, n (%) (n = 152) 127 (84)
High educational levela, n (%) (n = 155) 52 (34)
Paid job, n (%) (n = 152) 46 (30)
Active religious affiliation, n (%) (n = 152) 55 (36)
Disease characteristics
Duration of disease, years (n = 152) 10 (0–49)
Visual analog scales patient, 0–10 cm
Disease activity (n = 155) 3.5 (0–10)
Pain (n = 152) 3.5 (0–10)
Fatigue (n = 154) 4.8 (0–10)
RAND-36 vitality (n = 150) 60.0 (5.0–100)
RAND-36 pain (n = 147) 67.3 (0–100)
RAND-36 general health perception (n = 150) 52.5 (10.0–100)
Physical functioning
Health Assessment Questionnaire (n = 156) 0.75 (0–3.0)
RAND-36 Physical functioning (n = 156) 71.3 (0–100)
Mental functioning
RAND-36 Mental Health (n = 149) 76.0 (16.0–100)
Role limitations
RAND-36 social functioning (n = 146) 75.0 (0–100)
RAND-36 role limitations physical functioning (n = 155) 75.0 (0–100)
RAND-36 role limitations emotional problems (n = 153) 100 (0–100)
Participation in leisure and/or social activities, n (%) (n = 155) 132 (85)
Coping with rheumatic stressors
Pain—comforting cognitions (n = 143) 28.0 (10.0–36.0)
Pain—Decreasing activity (n = 139) 19.0 (8.0–31.0)
Pain—Diverting attention (n = 139) 18.0 (8.0–32.0)
Limitations—optimism (n = 150) 16.0 (5.0–20.0)
Limitations—pacing (n = 148) 27.0 (10.0–39.0)
Limitations—creative solutions (n = 143) 21.0 (8.0–32.0)
Dependence—accepting (n = 148) 14.0 (6.0–24.0)
Dependence—consideration (n = 144) 20.0 (7.0–28.0)
Purpose in life
Purpose in Life test (n = 149) 103 (63–131)
 PWB-pil (n = 149) 82 (41–110)

Results are expressed as median (range), unless specified otherwise.

aEducation level was divided into three categories based on the Dutch school system: primary education, 0–8 years; secondary education, 9–16 years; and higher vocational education/university, 17 years and more.