Learned helplessness and its correlation to impairment, pain, anxiety and depression in rheumatoid arthritis.
A Swedish version of the self-report instrument Arthritis Helplessness Index (AHI) is presented. Validity and reliability of the translation has been analyzed. 100 consecutive patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were studied, 78 of which completed 2 self-administered questionnaires with AHI, impairment, pain, anxiety and depression. Furthermore 20 of the patients were interviewed with regard to AHI. Forty-two other patients with RA were analyzed for correlation between AHI and biochemical activity and Signals of Functional Impairment (SOFI). We conclude that the Swedish version of AHI has satisfactory validity and reliability. It correlates with age, physical impairment, pain, anxiety and depression but not with sex or disease activity. Five of the original 15 items could for various reasons be omitted, leaving a 10 statement instrument. AHI is promising as a variable in future outcome studies of RA.
Lindroth
Y
Y
Dept. of Rheumatology, Malmö General Hospital, Sweden.
Strömbeck
B
B
Brossner
M
M
Gullberg
B
B
Wollheim
F A
FA
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001007:Anxiety / Q000209:etiology; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003863:Depression / Q000209:etiology; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D006380:Helplessness, Learned; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012803:Sick Role; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires