Important problems identified by patients with chronic arthritis.

To assess the impact of their illness on their whole life experience 345 patients with chronic arthritis were interviewed and completed a questionnaire. Four major sub-groups were identified--rheumatoid arthritis, gout, ankylosing spondylitis and osteo-arthritis. Taking into account definite inter-group differences, the commonest problems were pain (65%), stiffness (61%), inability to do everyday tasks (43%) and sexual difficulties (31%). The implications these problems raise in clinical practice are discussed and some suggestions for a rehabilitation programme made.