[Comparison of patients with rheumatoid arthritis and chronic backache from the aspect of psychological factors].

36 patients with rheumatoid arthritis and 44 patients with chronic low back pain were psychologically tested by the MMPI-201, Self-concept of Invalidism Scale, Impact of Pain on the Patients' Lives Scale, and "Pain Games" Scale. Patients with rheumatoid arthritis show significantly higher values at the depression and hypomania scale, while those with chronic low back pain manifest significantly higher values at the hysteria scale of the MMPI-201. This latter group also manifests significantly higher values at the Self-concept of Invalidism Scale and at the "Pain-Game" Scale.