Personality and Risk of Arthritis in Six Longitudinal Samples

Abstract

Objectives: Personality traits are broadly related to medical conditions, but there is limited research on the association with the risk of arthritis. This multicohort study examines the concurrent and prospective associations between personality traits and arthritis risk. Methods: Participants (N>45,000) were mostly middle-aged and older adults from 6 established longitudinal cohorts. Baseline assessments of personality traits, covariates (age, sex, education, race, ethnicity, depressive symptoms, body mass index, and smoking), and arthritis diagnosis were obtained in each sample. Arthritis incidence was assessed over 8-20 years of follow-up. Results: The meta-analyses identified an association between higher neuroticism and an increased risk of concurrent (odds ratio=1.20, 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.16-1.24; p