Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory autoimmune disorder. It affects approximately 1-2% of the population. Usually women are more prone to this chronic disease. Key symptoms are pain, stiffness, fatigue, and progressive joint destruction. Damaging effects of disease are on both physical activity and role functioning. It hits mental as well as physical health. Depression is most common mental disorder of RA affected patients.
Gender-linked personality factors that have been linked with mental and physical health outcomes may worsen with RA patients. Many researches conclude that the effect of the disease on psychological distress decreased over the years. It has been found that women affected by this disease exhibit more psychological symptoms rather than physical symptoms.
