Differences in illness intrusiveness across rheumatoid arthritis, end-stage renal disease, and multiple sclerosis.
Illness intrusiveness derives from illness-induced lifestyle disruptions that interfere with continued involvements in valued activities and interests and is hypothesized to represent a fundamental determinant of the psychosocial impact of chronic conditions. The present investigation compared reported levels of illness intrusiveness across 305 individuals from three chronically ill populations: rheumatoid arthritis (N = 110), end-stage renal disease (N = 101), and multiple sclerosis (N = 94). Although multiple sclerosis was significantly more intrusive, overall, into lifestyles, activities, and interests as compared with rheumatoid arthritis and end-stage renal disease (which did not differ), a significant illness group x life domain interaction indicated that intrusiveness into eight individual life domains differed significantly across the groups and that the pattern of differences varied as a function of the particular life domain involved. Differences in the constellations of signs, symptoms, and treatment regimens associated with a given condition were hypothesized to account for observed differences in illness intrusiveness.
Devins
G M
GM
Clarke Institute of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Canada.
Edworthy
S M
SM
Seland
T P
TP
Klein
G M
GM
Paul
L C
LC
Mandin
H
H
D000328:Adult; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004032:Diet; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011788:Quality of Life; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires