title: Health care research in rheumatology.
abstract: In the first three sections of this review, studies of disability among patients with musculoskeletal conditions are discussed. Evidence continues to demonstrate that arthritis has a substantial impact on disability. Correlates of disability for patients with general musculoskeletal conditions, rheumatoid arthritis, and osteoarthritis are reviewed, as are strategies to ameliorate arthritis-related disability. The fourth section of this review highlights the importance of pain-coping strategies for arthritis patients. The concluding section reviews educational strategies in the rheumatic diseases.
authors.affiliation: Center for Health Services Research in Primary Care, Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Durham, NC 27705.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Weinberger
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Jacobs
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006302:Health Services Research; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000523:psychology*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011379:Prognosis; D012219:Rheumatology