Dealing With Arthritis

KYW Medical Reports Sponsored By Independence Blue Cross

By Dr. Brian McDonough, Medical Editor

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- At one time we used to think of arthritis as a single entity—we just talked about the pain of arthritis but as time has gone on we have begun to realize that there are many forms of arthritis and some are the result of our own immune system actually attacking our own body.

We are also learning that there may be psychological complications—the obvious complications due to the pain and frustration of dealing with arthritis, but there is also a concern about impact on the overall mental status of patients.

According to a British study in the Annals of Rheumatic Diseases, as many as 65 percent of those with inflammatory arthritis had a high need for psychological support—of course their medical system as well as our own are just recognizing the issue and there are few programs in place to help.