title: Psychological factors in rheumatoid arthritis.
abstract: This article provides a review and discussion of recent developments in psychological research related to rheumatoid arthritis (RA). A description of the medical aspects of the disease is followed by an overview of the literature relating psychological variables to pain and disability in RA; a summary evaluating affective reactions, disease-related beliefs, and coping strategies in RA patients; and a discussion of psychological interventions with this patient population. Methodological weaknesses in the literature are noted and directions for future collaborative research between rheumatologists and psychologists are suggested.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesia, Bowman Gray School of Medicine, Wake Forest University Medical Center, Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27157-1077.
authors.forename: L D
authors.initials: LD
authors.lastname: Young
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000523:psychology; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000523:psychology*; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D010146:Pain / Q000523:psychology; D011788:Quality of Life; D012803:Sick Role