Evers AWM, Kraaimaat FW, Geenen R, Jacobs JWG, Bijlsma JWJ. Stress-vulnerability factors as long-term predictors of disease activity in early rheumatoid arthritis.
J Psychosom Res 2003;
55:293-302. [PMID:
14507538 DOI:
10.1016/s0022-3999(02)00632-3]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
Stress-vulnerability factors were studied for their ability to predict long-term disease activity in early rheumatoid arthritis.
METHODS
In a prospective study involving 78 recently diagnosed rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients, the role of personality characteristics (neuroticism, extraversion), physical and psychological stressors (chronic, disease-related stressors of functional disability, pain, disease impact on daily life, as well as major life events), coping and social support at the time of diagnosis was examined to predict changes in clinical indicators of disease activity 1, 3 and 5 years later.
RESULTS
While stress-vulnerability factors failed to predict disease activity at the 1-year follow-up, disease activity at the 3- and 5-year follow-ups was predicted by coping and social support at the time of diagnosis, after adjusting for disease activity at first assessment, other biomedical and psychosocial factors and use of medication. Low levels of social support predicted increased disease activity at the 3-year follow-up, and high avoidance coping predicted increased disease activity at the 3- and 5-year follow-ups.
CONCLUSION
Findings indicate the potential prognostic value of avoidance coping and social support for the long-term course of disease activity in early RA and suggest that the effects of these vulnerability factors predominantly operate in the long term.
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