A comparative study on mental health outcomes in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and knee osteoarthritis

18/09/2026

AI Summary

Rheumatoid arthritis patients showed significantly worse psychological health than knee osteoarthritis patients across most SCL-90 dimensions (p < 0.001), excluding terror and paranoia.
Sociodemographic differences influenced mental health outcomes in both RA and OA cohorts, indicating demographic factors affect psychological status.
Clinicians should prioritise assessment and targeted psychological interventions to mitigate adverse consequences and improve patients' quality of life and wellbeing.

TL;DR (AI Generated)

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to analyze the current status and differences in mental health levels between patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and knee osteoarthritis (OA) to provide a reference for clinical nursing interventions.

METHODS: Using convenience sampling, patients with knee osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis who were hospitalized at a tertiary first-class hospital in Shandong Province from May to August 2025 were selected for a cross-sectional survey, and the differences in mental health levels between the two groups were compared.

In clinical practice, healthcare professionals should focus on mental health of RA and OA patients, acknowledge the adverse consequences of psychological problems, and carry out targeted interventions to improve patients' quality of life and their mental wellbeing.

Basic summary

Front Med (Lausanne). 2026 Sep 3;13:1879435. doi: 10.3389/fmed.2026.1879435. eCollection 2026.

ABSTRACT

RESULTS: There were significant differences between the OA and RA groups in the Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90). Except for terror, paranoia, and other dimensions, there were statistically significant differences in the scores for each SCL-90 dimension between the two groups (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION: In summary, RA patients exhibit lower psychological health levels than OA patients. In addition, there were differences in social demographic characteristics that affected the mental health of both groups. In clinical practice, healthcare professionals should focus on mental health of RA and OA patients, acknowledge the adverse consequences of psychological problems, and carry out targeted interventions to improve patients’ quality of life and their mental wellbeing.

PMID:42755974 | PMC:PMC13581939 | DOI:10.3389/fmed.2026.1879435

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