Psychological predictors of disease course in rheumatoid arthritis.
A three year prospective study of 30 patients with established rheumatoid arthritis demonstrated that symptoms of depression and anxiety predicted a good outcome whilst externalized hostility predicted a poorer outcome. A multiple regression analysis further showed that patients who denied the emotional significance of their illness faired worse. Psychological variables accounted for 32% of the variance of outcome.
Department of Psychiatry, Flinders Medical Centre, Bedford Park, South Australia.
A C
AC
McFarlane
R S
RS
Kalucy
P M
PM
Brooks
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011581:Psychological Tests; D011594:Psychometrics; D011602:Psychophysiologic Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D012803:Sick Role