The role of psychological stress in rheumatoid arthritis.
Psychological stress affects the immune system, and stress is linked to disease onset and exacerbation in the rheumatoid arthritic patient. Stress may precede the onset of disease flare-ups. Adult health and advanced practice nurses should focus on assessing patients for symptoms of stress, identifying methods of coping when faced with stress, and implementing a variety of stress-reduction techniques.
Gio-Fitman
J
J
Columbia Michael Reese Hospital, Chicago, IL, USA.
D000328:Adult; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000209:etiology / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D011598:Psychoneuroimmunology; D012064:Relaxation Therapy; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*