LEARNED HELPLESSNESS AND ITS CORRELATION TO IMPAIRMENT, PAIN, ANXIETYAND DEPRESSION IN RHEUMATOID-ARTHRITIS

A Swedish version of the selfreport instrument Arthritis Helplessness Index (AHI) is presented. Validity and reliability of the translation has been analyzed. 100 consecutive patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were studied. 78 of which completed 2 selfadministered questionna ires with AHI, impairment, pain, anxiety and depression. Furthermore 2 0 of the patients were interviewed with regard to AHI. Fortytwo other patients with RA were analyzed for correlation between AHI and biochem ical activity and Signals of Functional Impairment (SOFI). We conclude that the Swedish version of AHI has satisfactory validity and reliabi lity. It correlates with age, physical impairment, pain, anxiety and d epression but not with sex or disease activity. Five of the original 1 5 items could for various reasons be omitted, leaving a 10 statement i nstrument. AHI is promising as a variable in future outcome studies of RA.