Pos0577 evaluation of Coping Strategies in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients

Abstract

Background:Studies have shown that the association of pain, stiffness, disability, and social restrictions in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients induce a significantly increased level of depressed mood and stress. The use of favorable coping strategies could lead to improve physical and psychological well-being.Objectives:To evaluate coping strategies of RA patients and their associations with health-related quality of life (HRQoL) outcomes.Methods:A cross-sectional sample of patients with established RA was evaluated using measures of coping: the Brief-COPE (scores presented for the two overarching coping styles: Approach coping including active coping, emotional support, use of informational support, positive reframing, planning and acceptance, and Avoidant coping including self-distraction, denial, substance use, behavioral disengagement, venting and self-blame), the HRQoL (Mental and Physical Components [MCS/PCS] of the Short Form 12), and the Rheumatoid Arthritis Impact of Disease score (RAID]. Multiple linear regression analyses were performed to evaluate the associations between coping strategies and HRQoL outcomes.Results:The study sample comprised 45 patients with a female predominance (91.9 %), and a mean age of 55.7± 9.9 years [38-77]. The median disease duration was 10 years [38-77]. The majority of patients (82.8 %) were positive for either rheumatoid factor or anti-CCP. Half of the patients were on biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs. Two active coping strategies were identified: Approach coping (E = 4.29) and Avoidant Coping (E=3.86), which explained 40% of the total variance. Mean RAID was 4.8± 1.6, while the mean PCS and MCS were 31.9 ± 9.4 and 39.7 ± 9.4, respectively. Approach coping and avoidant coping were associated with PCS (r= 0.4, p = 0.03), (r=0.3, p=0.008) respectively. However, no association was found between coping strategies and MCS or RAID (p>0.05). In the multivariate model, approach coping and avoidant coping were significant to explain lower disease-specific HRQoL (PCS) (Beta= 0.4, p= 0.008), (Beta=0.3, p=0.02) respectively.Conclusion:Approach and avoidance are associated with lower disease-specific HRQoL (PCS) but not with lower disease-specific HRQoL (MCS). Doctors should not forget to help their patients developing adaptive coping strategies.Disclosure of Interests:None declared