Comparison of SF-36 data from NOAR with other community based studies of RA
| Study (references) | NOAR-RA Community | Norway21 | Australia24 |
| Patients | |||
| No | 160 | 1030 | 122 (approx) |
| Mean age (range) | 60 (24–88) | 62 (20–79) | NA |
| Mean disease duration, years (range) | 5.7 (4.0–7.8) | 12.9 (SD 11.4) | NA |
| Female (%) | 68 | 79 | 61 |
| Source of patients | Primary care | Community register of hospital diagnosed RA | Population survey |
| Definition of RA | 1987 Criteria | Self reported doctor diagnosis | |
| Mean domain scores | |||
| Physical function | 47.2 | 47.3 | 72.7 |
| Role - Physical | 36.6 | 27.3 | 65.4 |
| Bodily pain | 49.4 | 41.0 | 58.6 |
| General health | 50.6 | 42.0 | 58.6 |
| Vitality | 42.0 | 39.4 | 52.7 |
| Social functioning | 70.0 | 63.7 | 78.5 |
| Role - Emotion | 59.7 | 52.0 | 83.4 |
| Mental health | 70.1 | 68.1 | 76.3 |
NA = not available.