Rheumatoid arthritis, coping and well-being. Cross-sectional sub-group comparisons and correlational analyses

A study was performed on 169 women and 53 men with a clinical diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This is a chronic disabling disease with no known cure and therefore the outcome of treatment has increasingly become focused upon assessment of well-being rather than more clinical parameters. We studied the relationship between clinical manifestation, self assessed functional disability and coping, on one hand, and well-being, on the other. Severity of RA disease was hypothesised to be negatively related while utilisation of various coping strategies, was deemed positively to well-being. The most mentioned coping strategies in the study group were problem oriented. With increasing severity of the RA disease we observed less acceptance and control. Well-being consistently decreased with increasing severity of RA, both with regard to clinical severity and functional disability status. Significant trends were seen with regard to security, future orientation, endurance, indolence and loneliness. Bivariate analysis between coping strategies and well-being revealed generally low correlations. Individuals accepting the illness displayed less guilt and tension and more endurance. Those who had decided to live an active life showed a more positive belief in the future and less indolence. The study outcome underscores the significance of well-being and coping (psychosocial factors) in RA, which should be considered and not neglected in clinical practice.