To examine the role of gender, age and coping in psychological adjustment of patients with early inflammatory polyarthritis (IP).
One hundred and twelve patients with IP of up to 18 months' duration from the Norfolk Arthritis Register completed questionnaires measuring coping, anxiety, disability and pain.
Thirty-six per cent of the patients were at risk of depressive symptoms. Women had significantly higher levels of depression and anxiety than men. Regression analyses showed that pain and (low) illness acceptance predicted levels of depression. Younger age, wishful thinking and covering up predicted anxiety levels.
The study found higher levels of depression and anxiety for women than men with early IP. Psychological distress was predicted by younger age, specific coping strategies and high levels of pain.