title: Psychological factors and quality of life in arthritis: a population-based study.
abstract: Previous studies using clinic or convenience samples have indicated that not only patients with arthritis are at increased risk of depression, but there may also be a link between depression and disability in people with arthritis. We examined the prevalence of psychological distress in a population sample with and without arthritis and the association with health-related quality of life. The WANTS Health and Well-being Survey was a population household telephone interview survey of adults (age > or =18 years) in three states of Australia. Data obtained were weighted to provide population-representative estimates. The survey included questions regarding arthritis, SF-12, the Kessler 10 index of psychological distress and presence of mental health conditions. A total of 7,473 interviews providing information on arthritis were completed, with 1,364 (18.3%) reporting arthritis. Self-reported mental health conditions were more frequent in those with arthritis (14.9 vs 12.0%, p = 0.004), and a higher proportion were at a medium or high risk for anxiety or depression (39.0 vs 31.0%, p < 0.001). People with arthritis had significantly lower scores on the SF-12 physical component summaries compared to those without arthritis. Among those with arthritis, those with coexisting psychological distress had significantly lower scores on the SF-12 physical component summary than those without psychological distress. Psychological distress is common among people with arthritis in the community. In arthritis, psychological distress makes a significant additional negative impact on the physical well-being. Physicians need to recognize and address this additional impact on physical functioning in patients with arthritis.
authors.affiliation: Rheumatology Unit, The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, 28 Woodville Rd, Woodville, South Australia 5011, Australia. Catherine.Hill@nwahs.sa.gov.au
authors.forename: Catherine L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Hill
authors.forename: Tiffany
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Gill
authors.forename: Anne W
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.forename: Alison
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Daly
authors.forename: Eleonora Dal
authors.initials: ED
authors.lastname: Grande
authors.forename: Robert J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Adams
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001168:Arthritis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011159:Population Surveillance / Q000379:methods*; D015995:Prevalence; D011584:Psychology; D011788:Quality of Life; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*