Body Image Affected By Rheumatoid Arthritis and Lupus
Body image is often negatively impacted by rheumatic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. Physical deformities, especially of the hands and feet for rheumatoid arthritis patients and skin rashes or lesions and hand deformity for patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, contribute to women with these diseases having a poorer body image than healthy women.
A study published in the March 2007 issue of Arthritis Care & Research examined the link between physical appearance and psychological distress (i.e. depression and anxiety) in rheumatoid arthritis and lupus patients. There were 157 study participants with lupus, newly diagnosed rheumatoid arthritis, or chronic rheumatoid arthritis. After answering questionnaires which evaluated disability, health related quality of life, psychological distress (including perceived appearance), and coping strategies, researchers concluded that:
- All 3 groups showed psychological distress.
- Lupus health related quality of life was negatively affected.
- 53 percent of lupus patients reported they felt unattractive compared to 30 percent of chronic rheumatoid arthritis and 34 percent of newly diagnosed rheumatoid arthritis patients.
- Appearance and physical disability are predictive of depression but not anxiety in rheumatoid arthritis patients.
- Appearance concerns in lupus patients impacted the relationship between health related quality of life and depression.
Among other conclusions, researchers said assessment of appearance concerns should be part of routine treatment for patients with rheumatic disease. Psychological concerns should not be ignored.
Related Resources:
- Arthritis Hand Photo Gallery
- Is it Rheumatoid Arthritis or Lupus?
- The Many Emotions of Chronic Arthritis
- How to Deal With the Emotional Impact of Arthritis
- Anxiety Disorders Linked to Arthritis and Other Diseases
- When Does Sadness and Frustration Cross Over Into Depression?
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Photo by Kai Koehler (iStockphoto)
Comments
I’m somewhat suprised that the numbers aren’t higher though 157 people is a rather small study group. Though, it would be interesting to see what kind of arthritic changes the chronic RA group has. The lupus skin rash could acct for the difference in numbers.
As for me, my hair has thinned (due to meds), I’ve put on weight, the clothes and shoes I wear are for comfort and ease of putting on not style. Add to that I walk with a limp, my hands are deformed and I have multiple surgical scars. So absolutely my body image has changed.