The psychosocial impact of systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis.
Seventy-six ambulatory patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and a comparison group of 23 ambulatory patients with rheumatoid arthritis were given a structured interview and standard psychological tests, including the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory, to determine the psychosocial impact of the illness. Both groups had significantly elevated scores on 3 Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory scales: Hypochondriasis, Depression, and Hysteria. Psychological difficulties are an integral part of systemic lupus erythematosus and are as common as most other manifestations. The implications for clinical practice are discussed.
D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000523:psychology*; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D011581:Psychological Tests; D011788:Quality of Life