Mental health status of women with rheumatoid arthritis in iran.
BACKGROUND
Chronic diseases are usually accompanied by psychological abnormalities. Anxiety and depression occur in a significant number of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). These psychological problems are likely, to be the results of chronic physical symptoms such as pain and disability.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was the evaluation of mental health in patients with rheumatoid arthritis in Iran.


METHODS
One hundred women with definite diagnosis of RA were evaluated in the outpatient clinic of the Tabriz University of Medical Sciences during one year period. Activity of RA disease was determined according to the Disease Activity Score-28 (DAS-28) scaling system and mental health was evaluated using the General Health Questionnaire-28 (GHQ-28). Based on the cut of point score of 22, prevalence of psychological problems was determined and a comparison was made the between two groups (with and without psychological problems).


RESULTS
GHQ28 screening test showed that psychological problems were seen in 49% of studied patients. There were significant difference between duration of disease and DAS-28 score between the two groups (P = 0.001 and P = 0.001, respectively). Somatic symptoms were more frequent in patients with psychological problems (P = 0.001). Somatic symptoms in patient with high disease activity was also more frequent than the other group (P = 0.002). There was a significant positive correlation between the scores of DAS-28 and GHQ-28 (r = 0.329, P = 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
This study showed that a considerable portion of patients with RA may have mental problems. The probability of these problems increased with more severe and more prolonged disease.
Connective Tissue Diseases Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, IR Iran.
Sousan
S
Kolahi
Chronic Kidney Diseases Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, IR Iran.
Hamid
H
Noshad
Department of Psychiatry, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, IR Iran.
Ali
A
Fakhari
Connective Tissue Diseases Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, IR Iran.
Ali Reza
AR
Khabbazi
Connective Tissue Diseases Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, IR Iran.
Mehrzad
M
Hajaliloo
Connective Tissue Diseases Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, IR Iran.
Leila
L
Ghahremani Nasab
Arthritis; Iran; Mental Health