This review highlights the issue of psychosomatic conditions in rheumatoid arthritis,
paying special attention to new researches and trends in this field. Emerging concepts in all the major
parts of the problem are covered consecutively, from the impact of chronic musculoskeletal pain
on the emotional state to disease influence over quality of life, socio-psychological, and interpersonal
relationships. Chronic pain is closely related to emotional responses and coping ability, with a
pronounced positive effect of psychotherapeutic interventions, family and social support on it. Psychosexual
disorders, anxiety, depression also commonly coexist with rheumatoid arthritis, leading
to further decrease in quality of life, low compliance, and high suicide risk. Influence of psychosomatic
conditions on the overall treatment effect is usually underestimated by rheumatologists and
general practitioners. Psychosomatic considerations are of great importance for up-to-date management
of rheumatoid arthritis, as they strongly influence the quality of life, compliance, and
thereby disease outcomes. Two major approaches of psychological rehabilitation exist, both coping
with pain through the regulation of emotion and psychotherapeutic intervention, which not only
helps patients in coping with the disease, but also aimed at improving the overall adaptation of the
patient. It includes techniques of relaxation, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and biofeedback therapy.
Current data about the efficacy of the additional correcting therapies for patients with rheumatoid
arthritis, both emerging and common ones, are discussed in the review.
