Psychosocial factors in the epidemiology of rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract

1. 1. A sample of 1,323 persons was interviewed about history of arthritic symptoms and the occurrence of certain social factors. Respondents were classified as having a positive or negative Index of Rheumatoid Arthritis and the two groups were then compared on the social data. 2. 2. Low income, low education, and termination of marriage were associated with higher prevalence of the index for men. In the case of women the most striking factors were low education, having four or more children, reporting no spare time in the third decade of life, and worrying more than other people. The cumulative effect of grouping these factors in each sex was especially striking. 3. 3. In particular, education and income were interrelated, with high prevalence rates noted for respondents with low education and high income, and for respondents with high education but low income. 4. 4. The items found to be associated with a positive index were discussed in terms of the extent to which they could be considered stressful in our society, and suggestions for further research have been made.