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Psychological screening in rheumatoid arthritis
J C Parker1, S P Buckelew, K L Smarr
1Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans Hospital, University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia 65201.
The Journal of Rheumatology
|August 1, 1990
Summary
The Symptom Checklist-90-R (SCL-90-R) effectively screens psychological distress in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. Both patient data and rheumatologist surveys confirmed its utility for this population.
Area of Science:
- Rheumatology
- Psychological Assessment
Background:
- Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) significantly impacts patients' psychological well-being.
- Effective screening tools are needed to identify psychological distress in RA patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the Symptom Checklist-90-R (SCL-90-R) as a psychological screening tool for individuals with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
Main Methods:
- The SCL-90-R was administered to 84 patients (81 male, 3 female) with classic or definite RA.
- Patients were staged based on roentgenograms; erythrocyte sedimentation rates and joint counts were recorded.
- Rheumatologists were surveyed, and SCL-90-R items were analyzed for disease relevance.
Main Results:
- Item analysis and rheumatologist surveys indicated the SCL-90-R is useful for screening psychological issues in RA patients.
- The SCL-90-R demonstrated utility as a psychological screening instrument within the RA patient population.
Conclusions:
- The Symptom Checklist-90-R is a valuable tool for psychological screening in patients diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis.
- Further validation supports its use in clinical settings for assessing mental health in RA populations.