The purpose of this study was to analyze the relationship between knowledge, self-efficacy and quality of life of patients suffering from rheumatic arthritis. The data were collected from 100 rheumatic arthritis patients 1 university hospital, K rheumatic clinic in kwang-ju city for 20 days from March 2 to March 22, 1999, by means of questionnaires. The instruments used in this study were the knowledge scale developed by Kim, the self-efficacy scale developed by Long et al and the quality of life scale developed by Rho. The data were analyzed by t-test, ANOVA, Pearson's Correlation Coefficient, and Stepwise Multiple Regression by using the SAS program. The results of this study were summarized as follows : 1. The total mean score of knowledge was 15.01(SD${\pm}$3.08), In self-efficacy, the total mean score was 1030.40(SD${\pm}$233.42), In quality of life, the total mean score was 135.19(SD${\pm}$11.07). 2. The relationship between general characteristics and knowledge were significant difference in sex(t=19.03, p=.00), occupation(F=2.34, p=.03), types of exercise (F=2.95, p=.0.3), and time of exercise(F=3.20, p.=02). 3. The relationship between general characteristics and self-efficacy were significant difference in religion(F=2.75, p=.04), in monthly salary(F=3.64, p=.01), in occupation(F=2.30, p=.03), in period of rheumatic arthritis(F=2.70, F=.03), in time of exercise(F=3.77, P=.01), and in effectiveness of exercise (F=4.56, p= .02). 4. The relationship between general characteristics and quality of life were significant difference in age(F=3.36, p=.01), monthly income(F=3.11, p=.02), types of housing(t=4.93, p=.02), arid time of exercise(F=3.03, p=.03). 5. There was not significant correlation between the subjects knowledge and quality of life. 6. There was significant correlation between the self-efficacy and quality of life(r=462, p<.011). 7. The main factor influencing on quality of life was self-efficacy(21.4%).