RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Invalidation in Patients with Rheumatic Diseases: Clinical and Psychological Framework
JF The Journal of Rheumatology
JO J Rheumatol
FD The Journal of Rheumatology
SP 512
OP 518
DO 10.3899/jrheum.160559
VO 44
IS 4
A1 Mariana Galante Santiago
A1 Andréa Marques
A1 Marianne Kool
A1 Rinie Geenen
A1 José António P. da Silva
YR 2017
UL http://www.jrheum.org/content/44/4/512.abstract
AB Objective. The term “invalidation” refers to the patients’ perception that their medical condition is not recognized by the social environment. Invalidation can be a major issue in patients’ lives, adding a significant burden to symptoms and limitations while increasing the risk of physical and psychological disability. In this study in patients with rheumatic diseases, we investigated the relationship between invalidation and sociodemographic, clinical, psychological, and personality characteristics.Methods. This international cross-sectional study included 562 adults with rheumatoid arthritis (n = 124), spondyloarthritis (n = 85), systemic lupus erythematosus (n = 112), or fibromyalgia (FM; n = 241). Assessed were the family and health professionals subscales of the Illness Invalidation Inventory (3*I), happiness (Subjective Happiness Scale), personality (Ten-Item Personality Inventory), pain, and loneliness (numerical rating scales). Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to test different models.Results. Invalidation occurred in all rheumatic diseases, but patients with FM reported the most invalidation. Including all correlated variables in the multivariate model, pain remained as a determinant of invalidation by health professionals, but not by family. Regarding psychological variables, loneliness remained as a determinant of invalidation by family, but not by health professionals. FM and low levels of happiness, agreeableness, and conscientiousness were associated with invalidation while taking account of other variables.Conclusion. Invalidation occurs in all rheumatic diseases and patients with FM experience the most invalidation. Psychological factors (happiness, agreeableness, and conscientiousness), loneliness, and pain intensity are associated with invalidation, irrespective of the rheumatic disease and may deserve dedicated interventions.