title: Psychosocial predictors of functional change in recently diagnosed rheumatoid arthritis patients.
abstract: In order to examine the influence of active and passive pain-coping strategies and social support characteristics on the change in functional status in the first stage of the disease in rheumatoid arthritis patients, self-report data and clinical and laboratory measures were collected from 91 patients (70% female, mean age 57 yr) shortly after diagnosis and 1 yr later. Multiple regression analyses indicated that, after taking the influence of demographic variables, disease activity and pain into account, a decrease in functional status (mobility, self-care, grip strength) after 1 yr could be predicted by an initially more frequent use of the passive pain-coping strategies of worrying and resting. A decrease in mobility could be additionally predicted by an initially smaller social network. Results indicate the impact of passive pain-coping strategies and social network characteristics for the prognosis of functional outcome in the first stage of the disease and suggest the early manifestation of avoidance mechanisms, including behavioral, cognitive-emotional and social components, in face of a chronic stressor.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Psychology, University of Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: A W
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Evers
authors.forename: F W
authors.initials: FW
authors.lastname: Kraaimaat
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Geenen
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Bijlsma
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000523:psychology*; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D003674:Defense Mechanisms; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D012803:Sick Role; D012944:Social Support