It's probably not surprising that chronic disease can take a toll on personal relationships. As a person with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), your ability to develop and maintain personal relationships may be affected. It can be difficult to focus on a partner when you're not feeling well or when you are worried about your health. A study showed that relationship strains can appear in many forms, including changes in emotional or financial circumstances, and symptoms such as fatigue and pain.
In fact, the GeneRAtions patient survey found that nearly half of participants reported that RA put limitations on their full involvement in a relationship with a spouse or partner, and those with RA for 10 years or less reported greater limitations than did those who had been diagnosed with RA for longer periods of time. In addition, you may find that your intimate relationships with partners may also be affected.
