An analysis of the relationship between psychological morbidity and disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis.
The hypothesis that the duration and activity of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) determine a patient's psychological state and adjustment was tested with a longitudinal research design using quantitative measures. A group of 30 patients with RA was examined on 2 occasions, 3 years apart. There were few significant relationships between duration of illness, disease severity and the psychological measures. A strong correlation occurred between disability and attitude to illness. Our data suggest that a patient's psychological state needs to be assessed as a variable, independent of physical impairment.
McFarlane
A C
AC
School of Medicine, Flinders University of South Australia, Bedford Park.
Brooks
P M
PM
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001007:Anxiety / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003863:Depression / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000379:methods; D013997:Time Factors