Biomaterial Database

Psychological aspects of rheumatic diseases. 1992

L L Ng

Psychological Medicine Unit, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore.

Psychological problems in rheumatic diseases are common and influence the maintenance of symptoms and management. The psychological and psychosocial aspect of rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus are briefly described. An approach to psychological management and the role of the psychiatrist in rheumatology are considered. In addition to appropriate and adequate treatment of concomitant psychological disorders with drugs, psychosocial interventions and the use of other forms of therapy such as self-help groups are also invaluable.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008180	Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic	A chronic, relapsing, inflammatory, and often febrile multisystemic disorder of connective tissue, characterized principally by involvement of the skin, joints, kidneys, and serosal membranes. It is of unknown etiology, but is thought to represent a failure of the regulatory mechanisms of the autoimmune system. The disease is marked by a wide range of system dysfunctions, an elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and the formation of LE cells in the blood or bone marrow.	Libman-Sacks Disease,Lupus Erythematosus Disseminatus,Systemic Lupus Erythematosus,Disease, Libman-Sacks,Libman Sacks Disease
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D001172	Arthritis, Rheumatoid	A chronic systemic disease, primarily of the joints, marked by inflammatory changes in the synovial membranes and articular structures, widespread fibrinoid degeneration of the collagen fibers in mesenchymal tissues, and by atrophy and rarefaction of bony structures. Etiology is unknown, but autoimmune mechanisms have been implicated.	Rheumatoid Arthritis