Methods: Forty-three RA patients and thirty-nine control patients between 18 and 70 years were evaluated. The RA group was made up of individuals with a diagnosis of RA and the control group was made up of individuals from the community, paired for gender, age and body mass index. The patients were assessed with regard to body image (Body dysmorphic disorder examination (BDDE)), self-esteem (Rosenberg self-esteem scale), function (Health assessment questionnaire (HAQ)) and quality of life (Short form-36 (SF-36)).