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Aktuelle Rheumatologie
DOI: 10.1055/a-2723-6022
Original Article

Functional Gastrointestinal Disease In Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis: Disease Activity, Functionality, and Quality of Life

Funktionelle Magen-Darm-Erkrankungen bei Patienten mit rheumatoider Arthritis: Krankheitsaktivität, Funktionsfähigkeit und Lebensqualität

Authors

  • Ayşegül Özdoğan Bircan

    1   Rheumatology, Çukurova University Faculty of Medicine, Adana, Turkey

  • Ufuk Mert Erginer

    1   Rheumatology, Çukurova University Faculty of Medicine, Adana, Turkey

  • İpek Türk

    1   Rheumatology, Çukurova University Faculty of Medicine, Adana, Turkey

  • Irem Sahinoglu

    2   Rheumatology, Celal Bayar University, Manisa, Turkey

  • Hüseyin Turgut Elbek Özer

    1   Rheumatology, Çukurova University Faculty of Medicine, Adana, Turkey
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Abstract

Objectives

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease characterised by systemic inflammation, with gastrointestinal symptoms being among the most common extra-articular manifestations. Functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs), which occur in the absence of an organic cause, are reported more frequently in patients with autoimmune diseases. This study investigated the rate of FGIDs in RA patients, its relationship with RA disease activity, and its effect on the quality of life of RA patients.

Patients and Methods

All RA patients completed the Rome IV questionnaire, the Short Form 12 (SF-12), and the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) to assess disease and general health. The Disease Activity Score (DAS 28), the number of tender and swollen joints, and acute-phase reactant levels were used to assess disease activity, with results recorded together with demographic data.

Results

Of the 115 RA patients, 54.8% had FGIDs, with the most common type being functional dyspepsia (FD) (39.1%). Other diagnoses included irritable bowel syndrome (16.5%), functional constipation (13.9%), and functional diarrhoea (7.8%). Patients with FGIDs had higher DAS28 scores compared to those without (median 3.77 [interquartile range: 2.68] vs. 2.96 [1.99]; p=0.017). After applying the Bonferroni correction for multiple tests (corrected significance level p<0.0042), we found that correlations between functional constipation and functional dyspepsia and quality of life outcomes were not statistically significant.

Conclusion

FGIDs are common among RA patients and are associated with more severe symptoms and reduced quality of life. Their management may involve various strategies.

Keywords

functional gastrointestinal disorders - disease activity - quality of life - rheumatoid arthritis

Schlüsselwörter

funktionelle gastrointestinale Störungen - Rheumatoide Arthritis - Krankheitsaktivität - Lebensqualität


Publication History

Received: 20 September 2025

Accepted: 07 October 2025

Article published online:
27 January 2026

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