Abstract

Eighty three patients with classical or definite rheumatoid arthritis taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) were studied in an attempt to determine whether a patient's personality and psychological profile might contribute to the development of NSAID induced gastrointestinal symptomatology. It was found that the personality profile of the group of 45 asymptomatic patients was similar to that of a previously reported control group. In contrast, the 37 patients with gastrointestinal symptoms attributed to NSAIDs had a significantly higher mean score for free floating anxiety, depression, and somatisation than controls, suggesting that a patient's personality may influence the development of NSAID induced gastric symptoms.