Stress in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and their families

Abstract

Depression and anxiety are highly prevalent in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and associated with their pain, fatigue and disease activity. Various psychological managements are developed to treat with psychological distress. Some management intervenes in the cognitive negative aspects of RA patients. In order to reach the target of treatment (T2T) with RA, medical team including medical doctor, nurse, pharmacist, occupational therapist and clinical psychologist etc. should be established. Team approaches have a possibility to cover psychological problems of patients and their families.