Possession of assistive devices is related to improved psychological well-being in patients with rheumatic conditions.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the relationship between the possession of assistive devices and psychological well-being in patients with rheumatic conditions.


METHODS
Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) were selected from rheumatology outpatient clinics in 2 adjacent regions in The Netherlands and Germany. A total of 142 patients completed a questionnaire on the possession of assistive devices and psychological well-being. Questions on sociodemographics, clinical status, and health status were included. Hierarchical multiple linear regression analysis was used to determine the unique association between the number of assistive devices per patient and psychological well-being, controlling for confounding variables.


RESULTS
Univariately, the number of assistive devices per patient was negatively associated with psychological well-being. Multivariately, the number of assistive devices per patient was positively associated with psychological well-being. Functional status was a negative confounder of the relationship between the possession of assistive devices and psychological well-being. CONCLUSIONl The possession of assistive devices was positively related to psychological well-being of patients with rheumatic diseases, after controlling for differences in functional status.
Veehof
Martine
M
Institute for Behavioral Research, Faculty of Behavioral Sciences, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands. m.m.veehof@utwente.nl
Taal
Erik
E
Rasker
Johannes
J
Lohmann
Johannes
J
Van de Laar
Mart
M
D015535:Arthritis, Psoriatic / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D012656:Self-Help Devices / Q000523:psychology*