Factors associated with depression in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

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  • Shikanai Hiroe
    Department of Medical Psychology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kitasato University
  • Iwamitsu Yumi
    Department of Medical Psychology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kitasato University
  • Endo Hirahito
    Division Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Toho University School of Medicine
  • Hirohata Shunsei
    Department of Rheumatology and Infectious Disease, Kitasato University School of Medicine

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Abstract

    The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between depression and demographics, disease activity, physical disability, and negative emotional suppression in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. A total of 113 patients who visited the outpatient clinic of the Department of Internal Medicine at Kitasato University Hospital agreed to participate in the study. Of these patients, 26 failed to complete the questionnaire. Therefore, data from the remaining 87 patients (18 men and 69 women; mean age±SD, 60.7±11.7 years) were analyzed. Patients were asked to provide demographics and respond to the Modified Health Assessment Questionnaire (mHAQ), Negative Emotional Suppression Scale (NESS), and Beck Depression Inventory-Second Edition (BDI-II). The attending physician evaluated disease activity with the Disease Activity Score 28-CRP (DAS28-CRP). The average BDI-II score was 12.1 (SD＝8.7),and 14.9% of patients felt depression. BDI-II was positively correlated with gender(r＝0.243, p＜0.05), DAS28-CRP(r＝0.341, p＜0.01), mHAQ (r＝0.464, p＜0.01), and suppression of anxiety (r＝0.201, p＜0.10). In the present study, approximately one-fifth of patients reported moderate or severe depression. Depressed patients had severe rheumatoid arthritis and physical disability, and were more likely to suppress their anxiety. Medical staff members and health care professionals need to manage disease activity and maintain physical activity of patients. This study also suggests the importance of depression management by medical staff members and health care professionals, particularly with respect to psychological characteristics.

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