The impact of passive coping on rheumatoid arthritis pain

Comparative analysis of centrally mediated and inflammatory pain experiences amongst patients diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis: A multimethods study

BACKGROUND

The identification of pain originating from distinct biological processes may lead to individualised pain treatment. In this study, we aimed to explore the pain experiences of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), differentiating between those predominantly exhibiting features of peripheral inflammatory versus centrally mediated pain.

METHODS

Through a multimethods approach we (i) quantitatively analysed the differences in pain descriptors between patients diagnosed with RA experiencing peripheral inflammatory and centrally mediated pain, utilising the Short Form-McGill Pain Questionnaire which includes the pain visual analogue scale (VAS) and (ii) qualitatively explored their subjective pain experiences grounded in the biopsychosocial model, commonly applied in chronic pain.

RESULTS

Participants with centrally mediated pain reported higher pain scores on the VAS, used a wider range of pain descriptors, and a higher proportion selected each descriptor compared to those with inflammatory pain (p < .001). The qualitative analysis revealed the centrally mediated pain group's experiences were overwhelming and relentless, struggling to precisely articulate the nature of their pain. In contrast, individuals with inflammatory pain expressed their pain in more tangible terms and shared their adaptive and coping strategies. Importantly, both groups revealed the substantial psychological, functional and social impacts of their pain, highlighting the often 'invisible' and misunderstood nature of their symptoms.

CONCLUSION

This study has gained a deeper insight into the pain experiences of patients living with RA, particularly in differentiating between centrally mediated and inflammatory types of pain, potentially facilitating a more individualised approach to pain treatment.

PATIENT CONTRIBUTION

Patients actively participated in the study conception and design. This engagement includes collaboration with key stakeholders, such as members of the National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society and Patient Research Partners (PRPs), who provided continuous feedback and guidance throughout the research process. Specifically, the qualitative element was coproduced with two PRPs, who were involved in co-leading the focus groups and data analysis.

Understanding how college students characterise and cope with chronic pain: a thematic analysis of expressive writing samples

College students who experience chronic pain are a frequently overlooked population. This research attempts to provide insight into the language that college students use to describe their experiences with chronic pain, challenges they face and coping strategies they use. Over the course of 4 consecutive days, participants responded to an expressive writing prompt asking them to reflect on their emotions and thoughts related to being a college student with chronic pain. Writing samples were then analysed to identify themes pertaining to words with a positive or negative emotional valence, terms used to characterise pain, metaphors used to describe pain, challenges faced, and positive and negative coping strategies used. Results showed that participants were more likely to use negatively valenced words than positively valenced words to describe their pain. Several common words and phrases were used to characterise pain, including metaphors. Finally, participants reported a number of challenges associated with their lived-experience of chronic pain, as well as positive and negative strategies used to cope with those challenges. These findings help to put into perspective the language used to understand, and attempt to cope with, the challenges faced by college students experiencing chronic pain. Research must continue to investigate the needs of this population so that they can be properly supported physically, emotionally, socially and academically.

Activity in a prefrontal-periaqueductal gray circuit overcomes behavioral and endocrine features of the passive coping stress response

The question of how the brain links behavioral and biological features of defensive responses has remained elusive. The importance of this problem is underscored by the observation that behavioral passivity in stress coping is associated with elevations in glucocorticoid hormones, and each may carry risks for susceptibility to a host of stress-related diseases. Past work implicates the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) in the top-down regulation of stress-related behaviors; however, it is unknown whether such changes have the capacity to buffer against the longer-lasting biological consequences associated with aversive experiences. Using the shock probe defensive burying test in rats to naturalistically measure behavioral and endocrine features of coping, we observed that the active behavioral component of stress coping is associated with increases in activity along a circuit involving the caudal mPFC and midbrain dorsolateral periaqueductal gray (PAG). Optogenetic manipulations of the caudal mPFC-to-dorsolateral PAG pathway bidirectionally modulated active (escape and defensive burying) behaviors, distinct from a rostral mPFC-ventrolateral PAG circuit that instead limited passive (immobility) behavior. Strikingly, under conditions that biased rats toward a passive coping response set, including exaggerated stress hormonal output and increased immobility, excitation of the caudal mPFC-dorsolateral PAG projection significantly attenuated each of these features. These results lend insight into how the brain coordinates response features to overcome passive coping and may be of importance for understanding how activated neural systems promote stress resilience.

Psychosocial Predictors of Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain Outcomes and their Contextual Determinants Among Black Individuals: A Narrative Review

Black communities are disproportionally affected by Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain (CMP), but little is known about the psychological predictors of CMP outcomes and their contextual determinants among Black individuals. To address this gap, we conducted a narrative review of extant literature to (1) report the major conceptual models mentioned in prior work explaining the link between contextual determinants and psychological responses to pain among Black individuals with CMP; and (2) describe psychological factors related to CMP outcomes in this population that are highlighted in the literature. We searched 4 databases (APA PsycNet, PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Google Scholar) using the following search terms: musculoskeletal pain, chronic pain, mental health, psychological, coping, health disparities, contextual factors, conceptual models, psychosocial, Black, African American, pain, disability, and outcomes. We illustrate 3 relevant conceptual models - socioecological, cumulative stress, and biopsychosocial - related to contextual determinants and several psychological factors that influence CMP outcomes among Black individuals: (1) disproportionate burden of mental health and psychiatric diagnoses, (2) distinct coping strategies, (3) pain-related perceived injustice and perceived racial/ethnic discrimination, and (4) preferences and expectations related to seeking and receiving pain care. The detailed clinical and research implications could serve as a blueprint for the providers and clinical researchers to address health disparities and improve care for Black individuals with CMP. PERSPECTIVE: This narrative review illustrates conceptual models explaining the link between contextual determinants and psychological responses to pain among Black individuals with chronic musculoskeletal pain. We discuss 3 relevant conceptual models - socioecological, cumulative stress, biopsychosocial -, and 4 psychological factors: disproportionate burden of mental health, distinct coping strategies, perceived injustice/discrimination, preferences/expectations.

Lifestyle modification and inflammation in people with axial spondyloarthropathy-A scoping review

INTRODUCTION

People with axial spondyloarthritis (AS) have an inflammatory profile, increasing the risk of hypertension, type 2 diabetes, obesity, and dyslipidaemia. Consequently, AS is linked with co-morbidities such as cardiovascular disease (CVD). Physical inactivity, diet, smoking, alcohol consumption, and obesity influence inflammation, but knowledge of the interaction between these with inflammation, disease activity, and CVD risk in AS is dominated by cross-sectional research.

METHODS

A review of the literature was conducted between July 2020 and December 2021. The focus of the scoping review is to summarise longitudinal and randomised control trials in humans to investigate how tracking or modifying lifestyle influences inflammation and disease burden in patients with AS.

KEY MESSAGES

(1) Lifestyle modifications, especially increased physical activity (PA), exercise, and smoking cessation, are critical in managing AS. (2) Smoking is negatively associated with patient reported outcome measures with AS, plus pharmaceutical treatment adherence, but links with structural radiographic progression are inconclusive. (3) Paucity of data warrant structured studies measuring inflammatory cytokine responses to lifestyle modification in AS.

CONCLUSION

Increased PA, exercise, and smoking cessation should be supported at every given opportunity to improve health outcomes in patients with AS. The link between smoking and radiographic progression needs further investigation. Studies investigating the longitudinal effect of body weight, alcohol, and psychosocial factors on disease activity and physical function in patients with AS are needed. Given the link between inflammation and AS, future studies should also incorporate markers of chronic inflammation beyond the standard C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate measurements.

Pain-Related Coping Behavior in ALS: The Interplay between Maladaptive Coping, the Patient’s Affective State and Pain

Background: Pain is a common symptom in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Coping plays a central role in adjustment to pain. Objective: This study evaluates the use of different pain coping strategies in patients with ALS and investigates the interplay of maladaptive coping, and the patient’s affective state and pain. Methods: One hundred and fifty ALS patients from three German outpatient clinics completed the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI), the ALS-Functional Rating Scale-Extension (ALSFRS-EX), the ALS Depression Inventory (ADI-12), the subscale “emotional functioning” of the ALS Assessment Questionnaire (ALSAQ-40) and the Coping Strategies Questionnaire (CSQ). Based upon the results of correlational analyses, multiple regression analyses were performed to identify predictors of pain severity and to explore factors contributing to maladaptive coping. Results: Pain was prevalent in 56% (n = 84) of the patients. Patients applied different adaptive coping strategies as well as the maladaptive strategy “catastrophizing”. Regression analysis indicated that the CSQ-subscale “catastrophizing” significantly predicted pain intensity, explaining 34.0% of the variance (p < 0.001). Pain-related catastrophizing was associated with higher pain-related functional impairments and worse emotional functioning. The ADI-12 sum score as an indicator for depressive symptoms contributed significantly to the maladaptive coping strategy “catastrophizing” (p < 0.001) and explained 40.8% of the variance. Conclusion: Patients with ALS apply different strategies to cope with pain. Catastrophizing is an important determinant of higher pain intensity ratings and is associated with higher pain interferences and decreased emotional well-being. Pain-related catastrophizing is promoted by depressive symptoms. Catastrophizing and depressive symptoms thus represent important targets of individualized pain-management strategies.

The Impact of Optimism and Pain Interference on Response to Online Behavioral Treatment for Mood and Anxiety Symptoms

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to explore a) if high pain interference has a negative effect on response to computerized cognitive behavioral therapy (cCBT) for anxiety and depression and b) whether high optimism can buffer the negative effects of pain interference on cCBT outcomes.

METHODS

We performed a secondary analysis of data on 403 participants from the randomized controlled clinical trial "Online Treatment for Mood and Anxiety Disorders in Primary Care." It examined the impact of cCBT, with and without access to an Internet support group, on health-related quality of life (HRQoL), mood, and anxiety symptoms.

RESULTS

High versus low pain interference had a negative effect on response to cCBT for physical HRQoL regardless of high or low optimism level (between group difference = -3.46 [-5.89 to -1.03], p = .005, or -4.06 [-6.28 to -1.85], p < .001, respectively). However, in the context of low optimism/high pain interference only negatively impacted the effect of cCBT on mental HRQoL (3.68 [0.63 to 6.73], p = .018) and anxiety symptoms (-2.61 [-4.87 to -0.35], p = .024). Although the pattern of effects was similar for depressive symptoms, the between-group differences were not significant.

CONCLUSIONS

High optimism may buffer against the negative effects of pain interference on treatment response from cCBT. Primary care patients who report high pain interference yet also lack optimism may not receive as much benefit from cCBT as other groups. Furthermore, this study found an unexpected positive effect of low optimism on treatment response. For depressed and anxious patients with low pain interference, low optimism enhanced the impact of cCBT on mental HRQoL.Trial Registration:ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01482806.

Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on psychology and disease activity in patients with ankylosing spondylitis and rheumatoid arthritis

Background/aim

The COVID-19 outbreak is known to increase stress levels of most patients with chronic diseases. Patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are highly susceptible to environmental stress. In the current study, we aimed to determine how the COVID-19 pandemic psychologically affected patients with chronic progressive diseases such as AS and RA and the effects of these psychological factors on disease activity.

Materials and methods

Age and sex-matched patients with AS (n = 80), RA (n = 80), and healthy controls (n = 80) were included in the study. All participants were evaluated with the “Perceived COVID-19 Threat Form (PCTF)”, “Suicide-Ideation Scale (SIS)”, “Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS)”, “The Ability to Cope with Trauma (PACT)”, and “Psychological General Well-Being Index (PGWB)” scales. BASDAI was used in patients with AS, and DAS28 was used in patients with RA to assess disease severity.

Results

Compared to healthy individuals, patients with RA and AS had lower PGWB scores and higher HADS depression and anxiety subscale scores. Almost all psychometric assessment test scores were worse in AS patients with high-disease activity compared to those in low-disease activity. PACT scores were higher in patients with moderate RA compared to patients with mild RA (p = 0.006). While a positive correlation was identified between BASDAI and most of the psychometric assessment test scores (r = 0 .36 for PCTF, r = 0.53 for depressive scores, r = 0.54 for anxiety scores, r = 0.57 for suicidal ideation), DAS28 scores were found to be associated only with PACT total and PACT perceived forward-focused subscale scores (r = –.26 and r = .33, respectively).

Conclusion

Psychologically, AS and RA patients were found to be worse off compared to healthy controls. The perceived COVID threat and psychological status were associated with disease activity in AS, but not RA patients. Patients with chronic illnesses may be more vulnerable to the psychological effects of the pandemic, which can worsen disease activity.

Applying the NIA Health Disparities Research Framework to Identify Needs and Opportunities in Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain Research

Disparities in the experience of chronic musculoskeletal pain in the United States stem from a confluence of a broad array of factors. Organized within the National Institute on Aging Health Disparity Research Framework, a literature review was completed to evaluate what is known and what is needed to move chronic musculoskeletal pain research forward specific to disproportionately affected populations. Peer-reviewed studies published in English, on human adults, from 2000 to 2019, and conducted in the United States were extracted from PubMed and Web of Science. Articles were reviewed for key words that focused on underrepresented ethnic/race groups with chronic musculoskeletal pain applying health factor terms identified in the NIAHealth Disparity Research Framework four levels of analysis: 1) environmental, 2) sociocultural, 3) behavioral, and 4) biological. A total of 52 articles met inclusion criteria. There were limited publications specific to underrepresented ethnic/race groups with chronic musculoskeletal pain across all levels with particular research gaps under sociocultural and biological categories. Current limitations in evidence may be supplemented by a foundation of findings specific to the broader topic of "chronic pain" which provides guidance for future investigations. Study designs including a focus on protective factors and multiple levels of analyses would be particularly meritorious. PERSPECTIVE: Chronic musculoskeletal pain unequally burdens underrepresented ethnic/race groups. In order to move research forward and to systematically investigate the complex array of factors contributing toward health disparities, an organized approach is necessary. Applying the NIA Health Disparities Research Framework, an overview of the current state of evidence specific to chronic musculoskeletal pain and underrepresented ethnic/race groups is provided with future directions identified.

Defining Pain That Does Not Interfere With Activities Among Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients

OBJECTIVE

The objectives of this study were to: 1) characterize the distribution of noninterfering pain (defined as the pain intensity level at which individuals can function without interference) across different aspects of life among patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and 2) identify clinical characteristics associated with differing levels of noninterfering pain.

METHODS

Patients with RA in FORWARD, The National Databank for Rheumatic Diseases completed 8 items from the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) pain interference item bank that asked about interference with activities. If subjects reported pain interference, they were asked, "At what level would pain no longer interfere with this activity?" on a scale of 0 to 10. Subjects were also asked, "At what level of pain would you be able to do everything you want to do?" Multiple linear regression analyses examined associations between clinical characteristics and noninterfering pain.

RESULTS

A total of 3,949 patients with RA completed the questionnaires. Pain interference was most common for daily activities and least common for ability to concentrate. The mean ± SD level at which pain no longer interfered with activities ranged from 2.7 ± 2.1 for ability to fall/stay asleep to 3.1 ± 2.0 for social activities. Overall, the mean ± SD threshold for noninterfering pain was 2.8 ± 1.9. The mean ± SD level of pain at which patients could do everything they wanted to do was 2.3 ± 1.9. More severe pain intensity was associated with higher noninterfering pain.

CONCLUSION

The mean pain level that did not interfere with activities was 3. High pain intensity was associated with high self-reported noninterfering pain.

Optimizing the Management and Outcomes of Failed Back Surgery Syndrome: A Consensus Statement on Definition and Outlines for Patient Assessment

Failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS) is a controversial term for identifying patients affected by new, recurrent, or persistent pain in the low back and/or legs following spinal surgery. The lack of a comprehensive standardized care pathway compromises the appropriate management of FBSS patients, which is associated with a heavy financial burden. An international panel of spine surgeons, neurosurgeons, and pain specialists with a particular interest in FBSS established the chronic back and leg pain (CBLP) network with the aim of addressing the challenges and barriers in the clinical management of FBSS patients by building a common transdisciplinary vision. Based on literature reviews, additional input from clinical expertise of multiple professional disciplines, and consensus among its members, the network attempted to provide recommendations on the management of patients with FBSS utilizing a multidisciplinary team (MDT) approach. The presentation of this work has been divided in two separate parts to enhance its clarity. This first paper, in favour of selecting appropriate validated tools to improve the FBSS patient assessment, focuses on FBSS taxonomy and its clinical implications for evaluation. Concise recommendations for assessment, treatment, and outcome evaluation using a MDT approach would be an important resource for specialists and nonspecialist clinicians who manage patients with FBSS, to improve decision-making, reduce variation in practice, and optimize treatment outcomes in this difficult-to-treat population.

Evaluating psychosocial contributions to chronic pain outcomes

The biopsychosocial model of pain dominates the scientific community's understanding of chronic pain. Indeed, the biopsychosocial approach describes pain and disability as a multidimensional, dynamic integration among physiological, psychological, and social factors that reciprocally influence one another. In this article, we review two categories of studies that evaluate the contributions of psychosocial factors to the experience of chronic pain. First, we consider general psychosocial variables including distress, trauma, and interpersonal factors. Additionally, we discuss pain-specific psychosocial variables including catastrophizing, expectations, and pain-related coping. Together, we present a diverse array of psychological, social, and contextual factors and highlight the need to consider their roles in the development, maintenance, and treatment of chronic pain conditions.

Effects of Conventional and Biological Drugs Used for the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis on the Quality of Life and Depression

Objective

This study aims to investigate the effects of conventional and biological drugs used for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) on patients' quality of life, depression, and anxiety.

Materials and Methods

A total of 80 patients with a diagnosis of RA based on the American College of Rheumatology/Annual European Congress of Rheumatology (ACR/EULAR) 2010 diagnostic criteria were included in the study. Patients were classified into two groups as follows: patients using conventional disease-modifying agents (csDMARDs) alone (Group 1, n=40) and patients using biological disease-modifying agents (bDMARDs) and a csDMARD combination (Group 2, n=40). Demographical patient data were collected. The levels of rheumatoid factor (RF) and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) were measured in both groups. All patients completed the Disease Activity Score (DAS28), Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ), Short Form-36 (SF-36), Beck Depression Scale (BDS), and Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale (HADS).

Results

There was no significant difference between the two groups of patients regarding their demographical characteristics, autoantibody positivity, or DAS scores (p>0.05). HAQ scores and all parameters and summary scores of the SF-36, BDS, and HADS scores were not significantly different between the two groups (p>0.05).

Conclusion

Results of the present study showed that csDMARDs and bDMARDs, which required a more invasive administration and were associated with serious side effects, were not superior to each other in terms of their effects on patients' quality of life. csDMARD and bDMARD were also not superior to each other regarding their effects on anxiety and depression among patients with RA.

The prevalence of depression and insomnia symptoms among patients with rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis in Poland: a case control study

The objective of the study was to assess the prevalence of symptoms of depression and insomnia among patients with rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis in comparison with individuals without chronic diseases. The study was carried out at National Institute of Geriatrics, Rheumatology and Rehabilitation, included 229 persons. The participants were divided into the following groups: group I - 120 patients with rheumatoid arthritis, group II - 58 patients with osteoarthritis, group III - 51 healthy individuals no confirmed depression (control group). Symptoms of depression were confirmed by a multiple-choice self-reported Beck Depression Inventory questionnaire. Symptoms of depression confirmed with depression inventory≥ 10 occurred as follows: patients with rheumatoid arthritis - 75.83%, patients with osteoarthritis - 50%, control group - 23.53% (p<0.0001), with the prevalence of insomnia (AIS≥6) at: 71%, 32% and 33%, respectively (p<0.001). In group I mean values of FIRST and AIS were 23.06 and 8.36 respectively, with group II: 21.71 and 7.84, respectively. In all subjects with AIS≥6, the depression inventory was statistically significantly (p<0.005) higher than in the subjects with AIS<6 (respectively: 17.02 vs 12.13; 15.6 vs 8.05; 5.45 vs 1.81). Patients with rheumatoid arthritis find it difficult to cope with stress. Insomnia as a reaction to stress occurs more often in this group.

Women's situation-specific strategies in managing participation restrictions due to early rheumatoid arthritis: A gender comparison

INTRODUCTION

The present study explored how women describe their use of situation-specific strategies when managing rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The aim was also to compare women's strategies with those of men, and see the extent to which they used the same strategies.

METHODS

The data were collected using semi-structured interviews based on the critical incident technique. The sample consisted of women with early rheumatic arthritis (n = 34), and the results were compared with data reported in a previous study on men (n = 25) from the same cohort. The patient-described participation restrictions due to RA were firstly linked to the domains of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF). The different strategies used were then categorized. The study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the Faculty of Health Sciences, Linköping University, Sweden.

RESULTS

The study found that women used four situation-specific strategies: adjustment, avoidance, interaction and acceptance. The same strategies had been found previously in interviews with men with RA. Women and men used these strategies to a similar extent in the ICF domains of mobility; major life arenas; domestic life; interpersonal interactions and relationships; and community, social and civic life. However, some differences were found, relating to the reported activities in self-care and domestic life, in which women reported using strategies to a greater extent than men.

CONCLUSIONS

Women and men used four types of situation-specific strategies in managing RA; adjustment, avoidance, interaction and acceptance. These situation-specific strategies provide useful knowledge, in terms of multidisciplinary rehabilitation and for patients' significant others.

Chronic pain and fatigue in adults with congenital unilateral upper limb deficiency in Norway. A cross-sectional study

Purpose

To describe Norwegian adults with congenital unilateral upper limb deficiency (CUULD) regarding self-reported chronic pain (intensity, locations, impact on daily life) and fatigue. Analyze associations between chronic pain and demographic/clinical factors and associations between fatigue and demographic/ clinical factors.

Materials and methods

Cross-sectional study. In 2012, a postal questionnaire was sent to 186 persons with congenital limb deficiency, age ≥ 20 years. Seventy seven persons with CUULD responded and are included in this paper. The questionnaire included questions on demographic and clinical factors, chronic pain (Brief Pain Inventory, Standardized Nordic Questionnaire) and fatigue (Fatigue severity scale (FSS)).

Results

Mean age was 42.7 (SD 16.0), 71% were women. Sixty tree % reported chronic pain, many had bilateral pain, most common pain locations were neck (78%) and shoulder/upper arm (78%). However, reported mean pain intensity (3.3 (SD 2.8)) and mean number of pain locations (3.0 (SD 2.5)) were moderate to low. Thirty seven persons reported that pain started in adult age (≥ 19 years). One third reported severe fatigue (FSS ≥ 5). Persons reporting cold sensitivity and severe fatigue were most likely to have chronic pain.

Conclusions

Congenital upper limb deficiency increases the risk of self-reported pain in neck, shoulder/upper arm, cold sensitivity and severe fatigue. Pain, fatigue and cold sensitivity may individually affect function, and may together reinforce functional problems. This should be to taken into account when rehabilitation programs are developed. Further studies of more representative samples should be conducted to confirm our findings.

Multifactorial analysis of dissatisfaction after primary total knee replacement

BACKGROUND

The aims of this study were to identify the prevalence and causes of dissatisfaction in a cohort of private practice patients, and to compare the psychological characteristics of dissatisfied patients to matched, satisfied controls.

METHODS

Unilateral TKR patients were evaluated to identify those dissatisfied with their TKR. Dissatisfied and satisfied patients were matched in terms of age, gender, follow-up duration and body mass index (BMI). Psychological evaluation was performed using the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS), Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS) and the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control (MHLC) scale. The preoperative grade of osteoarthritis, prevalence of comorbidities, and postoperative functional outcomes, were also compared.

RESULTS

A cohort comprised 301 patients (response rate 71%), with 24 patients (eight percent) dissatisfied at a mean follow-up of 37months (range eight to 74months). Persistent pain was the most common reason for dissatisfaction (n=10). Dissatisfied patients reported a significantly higher mean PCS score (P=0.03), higher depression component of the DASS (P=0.02) and lower internal locus of control (P=0.02). The dissatisfied group exhibited reduced improvement (P<0.05) in the Oxford Knee Score (OKS) and range of motion (ROM), as well as a lower preoperative grade of osteoarthritis compared to satisfied patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Dissatisfied patients exhibit an altered psychological profile to matched satisfied controls. In addition, they have lesser improvements in the OKS and ROM. Thus, both physical as well as psychological factors contribute to dissatisfaction. Identification of these factors may help in planning focused interventions to address dissatisfaction.

Evaluating the consequences of rheumatoid arthritis

Patients and non-patients tend to attach different utility values to the state of suffering from specific illnesses. This observation naturally leads to the question whose utility values should be used as the basis in cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA). Intuitively, one would presume that patients are better informed about the consequences of their illness, and public authorities should, therefore, use the patients' utility values in CEA. Contrary to this presumption, it has been argued that society at large should determine which values are to be used and not the patients because, in the end, it is societal resources that are to be allocated. Against this background, we use data from a discrete choice experiment (DCE) that was completed by patients of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and non-patients to explore the discrepancies between the two groups' utility estimates for typical consequences of RA. Our results indicate that both groups attach remarkably similar part-worth utilities to the symptoms pain, fatigue, and functional limitations. However, non-patients significantly undervalue the ability to work when compared to patients.

Coping strategies among patients newly diagnosed with diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis at baseline and after 24 months

Patients aged 18-65 years with newly diagnosed diabetes mellitus ( n = 89) or rheumatoid arthritis ( n = 100) were studied by the General Coping Questionnaire at baseline and after 24 months. In total, 34 diabetes mellitus and 46 rheumatoid arthritis patients were diagnosed with psychosocial problems. The use of negative coping strategies, such as protest, isolation, and intrusion, was associated mostly with being classified as having psychosocial problems. With the risk of experiencing a strong impact of the disease at 2 years of follow-up as outcome, intrusion was a significant and independent risk factor, while minimization was a significant and independent protective factor.

Perceptions of coping with non-disease-related life stress for women with osteoarthritis: a qualitative analysis

OBJECTIVE

Coping with arthritis-related stress has been extensively studied. However, limited evidence exists regarding coping with stress extraneous to the disease (life stress). This study explored life stress and coping in a subset of older women with osteoarthritis from a larger longitudinal study.

SETTING

An Australian regional university.

DESIGN

This qualitative study involved semistructured telephone interviews. Potential participants were mailed a letter of invitation/participant information statement by the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health (ALSWH). Invitations were sent out in small batches (primarily 10). Interviews were conducted until data saturation was achieved using a systematic process (n=19). Digitally recorded interviews were transcribed verbatim and deidentified. Data were thematically analysed.

PARTICIPANTS

Women who indicated being diagnosed or treated for arthritis in the previous 3 years in the fifth survey of the ALSWH (conducted in 2007) provided the sampling frame. Potential participants were randomly sampled by a blinded data manager using a random number generator.

RESULTS

Coping with life stress involved both attitudinal coping processes developed early in life (ie, stoicism) and transient cognitive and support-based responses. Women also described a dualistic process involving a reduction in the ability to cope with ongoing stress over time, coupled with personal growth.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first study to examine how individuals cope with non-arthritis-related stress. The findings add to the current understanding of stress and coping, and have implications regarding the prevention of arthritis in women. Importantly, this study highlighted the potential detrimental impact of persistent coping patterns developed early in life. Public health campaigns aimed at stress mitigation and facilitation of adaptive coping mechanisms in childhood and adolescence may assist with arthritis prevention.

The Use of Avoidance, Adjustment, Interaction and Acceptance Strategies to Handle Participation Restrictions Among Swedish Men with Early Rheumatoid Arthritis

OBJECTIVES

Living with a chronic disease means learning to live under new circumstances and involves a continuous adaptation to new ways of living. There is increasing knowledge about how people cope with stressful life events and adapt to new life situations. Approximately a third of patients diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are men; however, few studies have described the needs and experiences of men living with RA. The aim of the present study was to explore men's strategies for handling challenges related to participation in everyday life.

METHODS

The present study was associated with the prospective Swedish multicentre early arthritis project (given the Swedish acronym TIRA), which, in 2006-2009, included patients with early RA, contemporarily treated, with a mean disease duration of three years. From this cohort, 25 men, aged 20-63 years, were recruited consecutively. Data were collected in individual interviews, using the critical incident technique. The strategies for dealing with the challenges of RA in everyday life were analysed and categorized using content analysis.

RESULTS

Men with RA described four types of strategy for dealing with participation restrictions in everyday life: (i) Adjustment strategies - adjust behaviour, movements, medication, equipment and clothing to find new ways to conduct tasks or activities; (ii) Avoidance strategies - avoid activities, movements, social contacts and sometimes medication; (iii) Interaction strategies - say no, ask for help and work together to handle participation restrictions; and (iv) Acceptance strategies - learn to accept RA, with the pain, the slower work pace and the extended time needed.

CONCLUSIONS

According to men's lived experiences, a combination of strategies was used to deal with RA, depending on the situation and the experienced restriction. The results provided an understanding of how men with RA manage their disease, to reduce physical, social and emotional challenges. This knowledge may be used further to develop multi-professional interventions and patient education tailored to men with RA.

Unrevealed Depression Involves Dysfunctional Coping Strategies in Crohn's Disease Patients in Clinical Remission

Background and Aims. This study investigated the proportion of CD patients in clinical remission with clinical depression, and coping strategies in those with severe depressive disorders. Materials and Methods. One hundred consecutive CD patients in clinical remission were screened for anxiety and depression by using Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and patients with depressive symptoms were further investigated by means of Cognitive Behavioural Assessment 2.0 and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Afterwards the coping strategies were assessed through the Brief-COPE questionnaire. Results. Twenty-one patients had anxious symptoms and 16 had depressive symptoms with or without anxiety. Seven of these patients (43.8%) showed significant depressive symptoms. Compared to patients without psychiatric disorders, these patients showed significant lower score in “positive reframing” (p: 0.017) and in “planning” (p: 0.046) and higher score in “use of instrumental social support” (p < 0.001), in “denial” scale (p: 0.001), and in “use of emotional social support” (p: 0.003). Conclusions. Depressed CD patients in clinical remission may have dysfunctional coping strategies, meaning that they may not be able to implement functional strategies to manage at best stress related with their disease.

"Just get on with it": qualitative insights of coming to terms with a deteriorating body for older women with osteoarthritis

Objective

To qualify the psychosocial burden of osteoarthritis for older women and identify factors perceived to assist with psychological adjustment to the disease.

Methods

Women who indicated being diagnosed/treated for osteoarthritis in the previous three years in the fifth survey of the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women’s Health provided the sampling frame. Participants were randomly sampled until saturation was reached using a systematic process. Thematic content analysis was applied to the 19 semi-structured telephone interviews using a realist framework.

Results

The findings indicate that the emotional burden of osteoarthritis is considerable, and the process of psychological adjustment complex. Older women with osteoarthritis have psychological difficulties associated with increasing pain and functional impairment. Psychological adjustment over time was attributed primarily to cognitive and attitudinal factors (e.g. stoicism, making downward comparisons and possessing specific notions about the cause of arthritis). This was a dynamic ‘day to day’ process involving a constant struggle between grieving physical losses and increasing dependence amidst symptom management.

Conclusion

The findings of this study add to the current understanding of the complex processes involved in psychological adjustment over time. Targeted interventions focused on assisting women with arthritis redefine self-concepts outside the confines of caring responsibilities, coupled with public health education programs around understanding the destructive nature of arthritis are required. Understanding the destructive and (potentially) preventable nature of arthritis may facilitate early detection and increased uptake of appropriate treatment options for osteoarthritis that have the ability to modify disease trajectories.

Self-efficacy as an appraisal that moderates the coping-emotion relationship: associations among people with rheumatoid arthritis

The way a coping strategy is expressed might depend on the nature of underlying efficacy expectations. For example, a cognitive coping strategy may have different content depending on efficacy beliefs underpinning the strategy's formulation and application. As such, self-efficacy (SE), as an appraisal, may moderate relationships between coping and outcomes: coping effects may differ depending on SE. This process was examined in 127 rheumatoid arthritis patients attending routine patient education/self-management programmes. Participants completed questionnaire measures of SE, coping, anxiety and depression at baseline and at 8 weeks follow-up. Regression analyses focused on coping and SE change variables, and their concurrent association with measures of change in anxiety and depression. Results highlighted contributions to these emotional variables from interactions between coping and SE. The nature of associations between coping and emotional outcomes was found to differ according to efficacy appraisals. This may have implications for clinical practice in that the adaptive significance of adjustment efforts may differ according to underlying SE.

Mechanisms, impact and management of pain in rheumatoid arthritis

People with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) identify pain as their most important symptom, one that often persists despite optimal control of inflammatory disease. RA pain arises from multiple mechanisms, involving inflammation, peripheral and central pain processing and, with disease progression, structural change within the joint. Consequently, RA pain has a wide range of characteristics-constant or intermittent, localized or widespread-and is often associated with psychological distress and fatigue. Dominant pain mechanisms in an individual are identified by critical evaluation of clinical symptoms and signs, and by laboratory and imaging tests. Understanding these mechanisms is essential for effective management, although evidence from preclinical models should be interpreted with caution. A range of pharmacological analgesic and immunomodulatory agents, psychological interventions and surgery may help manage RA pain. Pain contributes importantly to the clinical assessment of inflammatory disease activity, and noninflammatory components of RA pain should be considered when gauging eligibility for or response to biologic agents. Further randomized controlled trials are required to determine the optimal usage of analgesics in RA, and novel agents with greater efficacy and lower propensity for adverse events are urgently needed. Meanwhile, targeted use of existing treatments could reduce pain in people with RA.

What predicts negative effects of rheumatoid arthritis? A follow-up two years after diagnosis

We aimed at analyzing important predictive factors for experienced negative emotional and social effects of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) two years after diagnosis in patients aged 18–65 years. The first group included 41 participants, who had psychosocial problems (PSP) already at diagnosis, and who received an intervention by a medical social worker to improve coping capacity and social situation. The second group included 54 patients (NPSP) without such problems at diagnosis. All completed a questionnaire mapping their social situation, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), the Sense of Coherence Scale (SOC) and the General Coping Questionnaire (GCQ) at diagnosis and after 24 months. The most pronounced predictive factor for a strong impact of the disease was high scores on HADS depression scale. After 24 months, PSP participants had a more strained life situation, with higher scores on anxiety and depression and lower on SOC, in comparison with NPSP. NPSP participants improved their coping strategies regarding self-trust, cognitive revaluation, protest and intrusion, but deteriorated regarding problem focusing and social trust. PSP patients kept their initial coping strategies, except for intrusion decreasing over time, and seemed to have a more rigid coping pattern. However, the experienced negative impact of the disease increased over time in both groups despite improvement in sickness related data. Mostly influenced areas were economy, leisure time activities and social life. We conclude that psychosocial consequences of RA are more connected to emotional and social vulnerability than are RA-related clinical factors.

Effects of isotonic and isometric hand exercises on pain, hand functions, dexterity and quality of life in women with rheumatoid arthritis

The primary objective of our study was to evaluate the effect of 6-week-long isotonic and isometric hand exercises on pain, hand functions, dexterity and quality of life in women diagnosed as rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Our secondary objective was to assess the changes in handgrip strength and disease activity. This randomized, parallel, single-blinded 6-week intervention study enrolled 52 female patients between 40 and 70 years of age, who were diagnosed with RA according to American College of Rheumatology criteria, had disease duration of at least 1 year and had a stage 1-3 disease according to Steinbrocker's functional evaluation scale. Patients were randomized into isotonics and isometrics groups. Exercises were performed on sixth week. All patients were applied wax therapy in the first 2 weeks. Their pain was assessed with visual analog scale (VAS), their hand functions with Duruöz Hand Index (DHI), dexterity with nine hole peg test (NHPT) and quality of life with Rheumatoid Arthritis Quality of Life questionnaire (RAQoL). Dominant and non-dominant handgrip strengths (HS) were measured. Disease activity was determined by disease activity score (DAS 28). We evaluated the difference in the above parameters between baseline and 6 weeks by Wilcoxon paired t test. The study was completed with 47 patients (isotonics n = 23; isometrics n = 24). VAS, DHI, NHPT, and RAQoL scores significantly improved in both groups by the end of 6th week compared to the baseline scores of the study (for isotonics p = 0.036, p = 0.002; p = 0.0001, p = 0.003; for isometrics p = 0.021, p = 0.002, p = 0.005, p = 0.01, respectively). DAS 28 scores decreased in both exercise groups (p = 0.002; p = 0.0001, respectively), while isometrics showed a significant increase in dominant HS (p = 0.029), and isotonics showed a significant increase in non-dominant HS (p = 0.013). This study showed that isometric and isotonic hand exercises decrease pain and disease activity and improve hand functions, dexterity and quality of life as well as mildly increasing muscle strength in patients diagnosed as RA.

The interaction of physical function and emotional well-being in rheumatoid arthritis--what is the impact on disease activity and coping?

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the impact of the interaction of physical function and emotional well-being on disease-related parameters and coping with rheumatoid arthritis.

METHODS

A cross-sectional survey among 177 RA patients included demographic and disease-related variables as well as the following patient-reported outcome measures: Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index (HAQ-DI) (physical function), Mental Component Summary Scale of the SF-36 (MCSS) for emotional well-being, Rheumatoid Arthritis Disease Activity Index (RADAI), and Coping with Rheumatoid Arthritis Questionnaire (C-RAQ). Based on HAQ-DI and MCSS, six categories representing various levels of physical and emotional impairment were formed. Multivariate analysis of variance and a subsequent discriminant analysis were used to evaluate whether demographic and disease-related variables and coping strategies differed between these categories.

RESULTS

Patients with moderate to high impairment of physical function and emotional well-being reported significantly higher disease activity and a more frequent use of distancing and active problem solving coping strategies than patients with low-level impairment (p<0.001-0.043). Furthermore, these patients reported experiencing significantly higher levels of helplessness (p<0.001-0.032). Results from the discriminant analysis highlighted a combination of disease activity and helplessness to differentiate best between patients with either low or high impairment of physical function and emotional well-being (p<0.001).

CONCLUSION

Aside from perceived disease activity, helplessness, and distancing as well as active problem solving allowed for a good discrimination between the different levels of impairment of physical function and emotional well-being. Encouraging and educating patients on how to cognitively reframe their current situation might play a key role in reducing the level of helplessness resulting from impairments of physical function and emotional well-being.

Affective temperaments in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

AIM

The issue whether patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have certain personality characteristics has been discussed. The temperament and personality characteristics of the patient may influence success in competing with stress. The aims of the study were to determine the most common dominant affective temperaments in patients with RA and whether temperament affects the disability.

METHODS

A total of 88 patients with RA participated in this cross-sectional study. The Turkish version of the Temperament Evaluation of Memphis, Pisa, Paris and San Diego Auto Questionnaire scale was used to determine the dominant affective temperament, and the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) was used to determine functional ability.

RESULTS

Depressive temperament was found in 52 patients (59.1%) as the most common dominant affective temperament followed by irritable temperament in 17 patients (19.3%). There was no significant difference in HAQ scores of the patients according to the subscales of the Temperament Evaluation of Memphis, Pisa, Paris and San Diego Auto Questionnaire. Disability levels of patients were found as low-level disability in 65 patients and high-level disability in 23 patients. Multiple linear regression analysis indicated that HAQ score was not associated with gender, body mass index, duration of the disease, depressive temperament, anxious temperament, cyclothymic temperament or irritable temperament.

CONCLUSION

The current study showed that depressive and irritable temperaments are the most common affective temperaments in patients with RA. The dominant affective temperament does not affect the functional ability of patients with RA.

Association between Disability and Psychological Factors and Dose of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation in Subjects with Rheumatoid Arthritis

BACKGROUND

The therapeutic effect of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) on muscle strengthening and hypertrophy depends on its dose. Patients must tolerate high doses of NMES to maximize gains in muscle function. It is unknown why some patients are able to achieve high NMES dose while others are not. Disability and psychological attributes may play a role in a patient's tolerance of NMES dose.

PURPOSE

To explore if disability and psychological attributes associate with the ability to achieve high doses of NMES in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

METHODS

Cross-sectional study. Forty subjects with RA participated in 2 sessions of NMES intervention to the quadriceps muscles. The highest NMES dose achieved by each subject was recorded. Dose was defined as the torque produced by the NMES as a percentage of the torque produced during a maximum voluntary isometric contraction. Subjects were then grouped in high or low NMES dose. Variables investigated in this study included disability, pain coping strategies, pain acceptance, sense of mastery or control, anxiety, and depression. Correlations were sought between these factors and NMES dose.

MAIN RESULTS

In unadjusted models, disability, coping self-statements, catastrophizing, and anxiety were predictors of NMES dose. In adjusted models only disability (OR = 0.17 [95% CI: 0.04, 0.77]) and catastrophizing (OR = 0.85 [95% CI: 0.72, 0.99]) predicted NMES dose.

CONCLUSION

Patients with RA with lower disability and lower catastrophising achieve higher doses of NMES. Identifying factors associated with achieving high NMES dose may guide strategies to improve effectiveness of this intervention.

Cigarette smoking and pain: depressive symptoms mediate smoking-related pain symptoms

Numerous studies have shown an association between smoking and pain, with smokers reporting more pain and worse functioning. However, little is known about factors that impact this complex relationship. This study investigated the association between smoking, pain, and depressive symptoms. Participants were new patients seen at a multidisciplinary pain clinic. All patients were mailed an intake packet of validated questionnaires as part of an ongoing research and clinical care initiative. Of the 497 patients evaluated, 426 had valid smoking data. Among these patients, 32.6% (n = 139) reported being current smokers, 31.7% (n = 135) were classified as former smokers, and 35.7% (n = 152) were never smokers. A multivariate analysis of covariance (smoking status, age, gender, education) revealed a main effect for pain severity (F = 7.36, P<0.001), pain interference (F = 4.03, P = 0.001), and depressive symptoms (F = 7.87, P<0.001). Current smokers demonstrated higher pain severity, pain interference, and depressive symptoms compared with former smokers and never smokers (P<0.01 for all analyses), while there were no differences between the former-smoker and never-smoker groups. However, the effect of smoking on pain severity (P = 0.06) and pain interference (P = 0.22) was no longer significant after controlling for depressive symptoms in a mediation model. Additionally, among former smokers, longer quit duration was associated with less pain severity. In conclusion, smoking rates were high and smoking was associated with a worse chronic pain phenotype. Importantly, depressive symptoms emerged as a critical mediating factor in helping to explain the relationship between smoking and pain.

Smoking cigarettes as a coping strategy for chronic pain is associated with greater pain intensity and poorer pain-related function

Smoking cigarettes is prevalent among individuals with chronic pain. Some studies indicate nicotine reduces pain and others suggest it may cause or exacerbate pain. Participants in this cross-sectional study were 151 chronic pain patients from a large, urban VA medical center. Patients were divided into 3 groups: 1) nonsmokers; 2) smokers who deny using cigarettes to cope with pain; and 3) smokers who report using cigarettes to cope with pain. Patients who reported smoking as a coping strategy for chronic pain scored significantly worse compared with the other 2 groups on the majority of measures of pain-related outcome. Nonsmokers and smokers who denied smoking to cope did not differ on any variable examined. After controlling for the effects of demographic and clinical factors, smoking cigarettes as a coping strategy for pain was significantly and positively associated with pain intensity (P = .04), pain interference (P = .005), and fear of pain (P = .04). In addition to assessing general smoking status, a more specific assessment of the chronic pain patient's reasons for smoking may be an important consideration as part of interdisciplinary pain treatment.

PERSPECTIVE

This paper describes the relationship between smoking cigarettes as a mechanism to cope with chronic pain and pain-related outcome. Understanding this relationship may illuminate the broader relationship between smoking and chronic pain and provide new directions for effective interdisciplinary pain treatment.

Psychosocial problems among newly diagnosed rheumatoid arthritis patients

We identified patients with newly diagnosed rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in the ages 18-65 years who needed psychosocial interventions. A total of 123 patients (90 women) were asked to participate, but 19 declined and 4 dropped out early in the study, leaving a total of 100 patients (75 women) in the sample. Questionnaires used were the Epidemiological Investigation on Rheumatoid Arthritis study questionnaire, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, the Sense of Coherence (SOC) scale, and the General Coping Questionnaire. Interviews showed that 46% of the included 100 patients had psychosocial problems (PSP). One third of them had problems directly related to RA. The rest had problems with their life situation in general, without or reinforced by RA. Compared to patients without psychosocial problems, PSP patients lived in more strained social situations, especially regarding personal finances and social support. More of the PSP patients were anxious, showed lower SOC scores, and also used more emotion-based coping strategies (resignation, protest, isolation and intrusion) and less problem-oriented (minimization). They also had higher scores on depression and more frequently expected that RA would negatively affect their future. PSP patients also experienced a more negative impact of the disease, a finding not confirmed by the sickness activity score judged by the rheumatologist. Thus, early in the course of RA, screening instruments should be used to identify PSP patients. Psychosocial treatment and support by medical social workers skilled in RA care should be offered.

"Striving for a good life" - the management of rheumatoid arthritis as experienced by patients

Aim

To generate a theoretical model how patients experience their management of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in everyday life.

Method

An explorative design with the grounded theory approach was used by interviewing 16 informants with RA.

Results

The generated theoretical model emerged in a core category- Striving for a good life with two categories; making use of personal resources and grasping for support from others, which formed the base of managing RA. When relating these categories together, four dimensions emerged which characterised patients’ different ways of managing RA: mastering, relying, struggling and being resigned.

Discussion

The management of RA incorporated the use of personal resources and the grasping for support from others. Both self-management strategies and patients’ need of support were highlighted as aspects that were of importance when managing RA. Patients’ experiences of their need of support to manage RA give extended knowledge that is of importance for nurses and other healthcare providers. The relationship between patients and healthcare providers is always the key to a good encounter. Interventions to increase self-management in RA have to incorporate this knowledge when trying to increase patients’ self-efficacy and with their experience of support.

Psychological variables potentially implicated in opioid-related mortality as observed in clinical practice

Opioid-related deaths in the United States have become a public health problem, with accidental and unintended overdoses being especially troubling. Screening for psychological risk factors is an important first step in safeguarding against nonadherence practices and identifying patients who may be vulnerable to the risks associated with opioid therapy. Validated screening instruments can aid in this attempt as a complementary tool to clinicians' assessments. A structured screening is imperative as part of an assessment, as clinician judgment is not the most reliable method of identifying nonadherence. As a complement to formal screening, we present for discussion and possible future study certain psychological variables observed during years of clinical practice that may be linked to medication nonadherence and accidental overdose. These variables include catastrophizing, fear, impulsivity, attention deficit disorders, existential distress, and certain personality disorders. In our experience, chronic pain patients with dual diagnoses may become "chemical copers" as a way of coping with their negative emotion. For these patients, times of stress could lead to accidental overdose. Behavioral, cognitive-behavioral (acceptance and commitment, dialectical behavior), existential (meaning-centered, dignity), and psychotropic therapies have been effective in treating these high-risk comorbidities, while managing expectations of pain relief appears key to preventing accidental overdose.

The self-regulatory model in women with rheumatoid arthritis: Relationships between illness representations, coping strategies, and illness outcome

OBJECTIVES

The self-regulatory model proposes that an individual's cognitive representations of illness threat (illness representations) influence the selection and performance of strategies to cope with that illness (Leventhal, Meyer, & Nerenz, 1980). Also implicit in the model is the proposal that such coping strategies influence illness outcomes. These relationships represent a mediational model (Baron & Kenny, 1986). The aim of the present study is to test the hypothesis that coping strategies partially mediate the relationship between illness representations and illness outcome in women with rheumatoid arthritis.

DESIGN AND METHODS

The study is an observational cross-sectional design. Self-report measures of illness representations, coping strategies, and illness outcome were collected from 125 women with rheumatoid arthritis attending rheumatology outpatient clinics. Clinical measures of disease activity and severity were obtained from hospital records.

RESULTS

Avoidant and resigned coping were found to partially mediate the relationship between symptom identity and the illness outcome measures of disability and psychiatric morbidity. As in other studies, strong relationships were found between illness representations and illness outcome.

CONCLUSIONS

The finding that avoidant and resigned coping partially mediated the relationships between the illness representation dimension of symptom identity and two of the illness outcome measures (disability and psychiatric morbidity) provided some support for the hypothesis. However, the hypothesis was not fully supported, as coping did not partially mediate the relationship between any of the other illness representations and illness outcomes.

Getting mad but ending up sad: the mental health consequences for African Americans using anger to cope with racism

Anger is a common reaction to stressful life events. However, little is known about anger’s use and efficacy as a coping strategy for racism. Is anger a coping strategy for racism that improves mental health? Or does anger operate in an opposing way, deteriorating mental health? The analyses for this research focused on a probability sample of African Americans who reported experiences of acute (n = 246) or chronic (n = 120) racial discrimination in a survey interview. General linear model results revealed that using anger to cope with racial discrimination negatively affected the general well-being and psychological distress of African Americans. These findings raise concerns about the effectiveness (or lack therefore of) of anger as a common coping mechanism for racism, given the deleterious effects it may have on African Americans’ mental health.

Psychological correlates of self-reported disease activity in ankylosing spondylitis

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the role of psychological variables in self-reported disease activity in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS), while controlling for demographic and medical variables.

METHODS

Patients with AS (n = 294) meeting modified New York criteria completed psychological measures evaluating depression, resilience, active and passive coping, internality, and helplessness. Demographic, clinical, and radiologic data were also collected. Univariate and multivariate analyses were completed to determine the strength of the correlation of psychological variables with disease activity, as measured by the Bath AS Disease Activity Index (BASDAI).

RESULTS

In the multivariate regression analysis, the psychological variables contributed significantly to the variance in BASDAI scores, adding an additional 33% to the overall R-square beyond that accounted for by demographic and medical variables (combined R-square 18%). Specifically, arthritis helplessness and depression accounted for the most significant portion of the variance in BASDAI scores in the final model.

CONCLUSION

Arthritis helplessness and depression accounted for significant variability in self-reported disease activity beyond clinical and demographic variables in patients with AS. These findings have important clinical implications in the treatment and monitoring of disease activity in AS, and suggest potential avenues of intervention.