Frequent mental distress status among adults with arthritis age 45 years and older, 2001.
OBJECTIVE
To identify characteristics and behaviors among persons with arthritis through evaluation of self-perceived mental health status.


METHODS
Data were analyzed for adults with arthritis age 45 years or older from the 2001 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, an ongoing, state-based, random-digit-dialed telephone survey of noninstitutionalized adults living in the United States.


RESULTS
The prevalence of frequent mental distress (FMD; > or =14 self-reported mentally unhealthy days in the past 30 days) among persons with arthritis was 13.4%. Among persons with arthritis, those with FMD as compared with those without FMD were more likely to be underweight and obese than normal weight; they also were more likely to be insufficiently active or inactive than following recommended physical activity guidelines. In addition, those with arthritis and FMD were more likely to report disability and impaired physical and general health than were those with arthritis but without FMD.


CONCLUSIONS
Physicians should encourage their patients with arthritis and mental distress to participate in educational and behavioral interventions shown to have both physical and psychological benefits.
Strine
Tara W
TW
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia 30341, USA. tws2@cdc.gov
Hootman
Jennifer M
JM
Okoro
Catherine A
CA
Balluz
Lina
L
Moriarty
David G
DG
Owens
Michelle
M
Mokdad
Ali
A
D000342:Affective Symptoms / Q000453:epidemiology*; D000368:Aged; D001168:Arthritis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011788:Quality of Life