An investigation of the efficacy of a cognitive behavioural treatment for patients with recent onset rheumatoid arthritis

INTERVENTION: 1. Individual course of cognitive‐behavioural therapy 2. Matched waiting list control group CONDITION: Rheumatoid arthritis ; Musculoskeletal Diseases ; Rheumatoid arthritis PRIMARY OUTCOME: 1. Coping Strategies Questionnaire; 2. Percentage of subjects with clinically important depression or anxiety; 3. Proportion of subjects with Eryhtrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) of more than 30 mm/hr; 4. Proportion of subjects with C‐Reactive Protein (CRP) of more than 10 mg/l SECONDARY OUTCOME: Not provided at time of registration INCLUSION CRITERIA: 1. 40 patients recruited from the West Middlesex University Hospital Rheumatology Clinic 2. Age group 18‐65 3. Definite or classic Rheumatoid Arthritis with onset of symptoms in the past two years 4. Active but stable on current medication