DIFFERENTIAL RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN STRESS AND DISEASE-ACTIVITY FOR IMMUNOLOGICALLY DISTINCT SUBGROUPS OF PEOPLE WITH RHEUMATOID-ARTHRITIS

Immunologically distinct subgroups of patients with rheumatoid arthrit is (RA)-those with the autoantibody rheumatoid factor (seropositive RA ) and those without (seronegative RA)-were compared on a variety of cl inical and self-report measures in a consecutive series of women with disease of 7 years' or less duration. The groups were comparable on cl inical, pain, functional, and psychosocial variables. However, the ser onegative RA group reported elevated levels of preonset negative life event stress. Postonset life event stress and disease activity were si gnificantly correlated for the seronegative RA group, but not for the seropositive RA group. Results suggest that stress factors may be more important in the etiology and maintenance of seronegative RA and that the seronegative RA group may possibly derive particular benefit from psychological techniques to enhance stress management skills.