Association Between the Presence of Distress Related to the Feeling of Loss of Dignity and Quality of Life in Patients With Rheumatic Diseases

Rheumatic diseases (RD) are an important group of different clinical entities and specific diseases that affect a significant proportion of the world population. In Mexico, the RD have a relevant representation in the adult population.

Dignity is a construct characterized by the representation of the self, of the self from others' point of view, and of the interaction of the individual with the environment and social context.

Living with a chronic illness can threaten experiences of dignity for the sick person and their families. Various studies have demonstrated the direct impact of the disease on dignity in terms of physical and psychological symptoms and loss of function. Some efforts have been made to operationalize the concept of perceived dignity in the context of chronic diseases

The perceived dignity of patients and the distress related to the feeling of loss of dignity (DRFLD) are outcomes that the patient can report and that the doctors can evaluate to be incorporated into the considerations of comprehensive care. Both outcomes are closely related, perceived dignity refers to a complex phenomenon, while distress related to the feeling of loss of dignity identifies those patients with a perceived dignity compromise of such magnitude that it generates anguish.