Characteristics of handicap for patients with recent onset rheumatoid arthritis: the validity of the Disease Repercussion Profile

Objectives. To investigate the applicability of the Disease Repercussion Pr ofile (DRP) in the assessment of people with recently diagnosed rheumatoid arthritis. Previous research using this instrument has been confined to chr onic samples. Methods. Fifty-three patients with recent onset rheumatoid arthritis comple ted the DRP and other commonly used clinical outcome measures. Results. The life areas of the DRP were highly interrelated, with the excep tion of finance. The total DRP score was associated with joint function, di sability, subjective pain and coping, but was most highly associated with e motional disturbance, particularly depressive symptoms. No associations wer e found between measures of disease or demographic variables and DRP subsca les. Activity was the area most often affected, with social life, emotions and appearance all more strongly endorsed than finances and relationships. However, whenever any of the areas was endorsed as affected, its impact was inevitably rated as very important. The pattern of self-perceived handicap was different from that reported in people with chronic arthritis. Conclusions. These results offer evidence that the DRP provides a valid mea sure of handicap for patients with early illness even with relatively low l evels of disability. However, handicap in early rheumatoid arthritis may be more highly associated with psychological distress than in later stages of the illness.