The effect of the evolution period of rheumatoid arthritis on symptoms and negative emotions

The shortage of studies examining the effect that the evolution period of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) has on negative emotions (especially anxiety and anger), in addition to the lack of coherent results, have motivated the present research. The aim is to explore the ways in which the evolution period may account for variations in the degree of negative emotionality. The study has monitored a sample of 106 RA patients, who were assessed using the following instruments: Sadness-Depression Questionnaire (CTD); Brief Inventory of Situations and Responses of Anxiety (ISRA-B); State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory (STAXI-2); McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ); Pain Frequency and Intensity (FID); and Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ). Disease evolution period was measured in months, starting at the time when first symptoms were reported. Regression analyses show that the predictive model for depression includes disability and affective dimension of pain; for anxiety, it includes these same two factors plus the disease evolution period; and in the case of anger, only the affective dimension of pain. Results allow us to conclude that the most important factors for predicting negative emotions in RA patients are disability and pain. Regarding anxiety, we must also take into account the disease evolution period, given the fact that as the disease period grows anxiety levels decrease. Finally, implications for clinical intervention are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved) (Source: journal abstract)