A biopsychosocial model of disability in rheumatoid arthritis.
OBJECTIVE
To test and cross-validate a model using disease activity, pain, and helplessness to predict future psychological and physical disability in persons with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) across time.


METHODS
Measures of disease activity, pain, helplessness, psychological function, and physical function were collected from 63 males with RA at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months. Path analytic methods were used to examine longitudinal relationships among these variables.


RESULTS
Path analysis revealed that pain and helplessness were significant mediators of the relationship between disease activity and future disability in RA; the predictive model withstood two cross-validations.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings suggest that pain and helplessness are key biopsychosocial variables that affect the development of disability in RA.
Schoenfeld-Smith
K
K
Harry S Truman Memorial Veterans Hospital, Columbia, MO 65201, USA.
Petroski
G F
GF
Hewett
J E
JE
Johnson
J C
JC
Wright
G E
GE
Smarr
K L
KL
Walker
S E
SE
Parker
J C
JC
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D006233:Persons with Disabilities; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015233:Models, Statistical; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D013997:Time Factors