Arthritis care and research : the official journal of the Arthritis Health Professions Association
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This study examined the reliability and validity of a behavioral observation method for the assessment of arthritis pain in a clinical practice setting. Trained observers measured the occurrence of seven pain behaviors in a group of 61 rheumatoid arthritis patients undergoing physical examinations. ⋯ Total pain behavior scores obtained in both settings were significantly correlated with patients' self-reports of pain and with disease activity measures. Pain behavior observed during the exams was significantly associated with patients' self-reports of anxiety and depression.