PMC2821395_01
Development of Arthritis Pain, Depressed Mood and Level of Activity over time. The graph describes the course of levels of arthritis pain, depressive symptoms and physical activity over an extended period between Nov. 2003 and Oct. 2008 depending on DMARD and psychotropic medication. The psychiatric intervention in Oct. 2007 through the mood disorder clinic and the subsequent change in DMARD and psychotropic medication indicates a significant change in symptom presentation with a decline in pain and depressive symptoms while the activity levels increased continuously.
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PMC2821395_01_1752-1947-4-6-1.jpg
F1
When her arthritic disease was worsening between early 2005 and 2007, she was started on a number of disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and analgesics (oxycodone, tramadol and paracetamol combined with codeine and taken regularly since 2002) as prescribed by her rheumatologist (Figure 1).