The relationship between disease activity and depression in Egyptian patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Aim of the workTo estimate the prevalence of depression and its relationship with disease activity parameters in Egyptian patients with RA.Patients and methodsA cross sectional study was conducted on 170 patients with RA. The following values were assessed for each patient: erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), rheumatoid factor (RF), swollen and tender joint counts (SJC and TJC), disease activity score 28 (DAS28), health assessment questionnaire score (HAQ), visual analogue scale (VAS) of pain and hospital anxiety and depression scale-depression subscale (HADS-D).ResultsThe prevalence of depression was 15.29% (26 RA patients). In the depressed RA patients, positive significant correlations were found between HADS-D score and age, disease duration, HAQ score, VAS, DAS28 score and CRP. However, no significant correlation was found between HADS-D score and ESR, number of swollen and tender joints. No significant difference (P > 0.05) was found between depressed male and female patients with RA.ConclusionPatients with RA and co-morbid depression have worse health outcomes. RA cases should be monitored for accompanying depression during follow-up. The identification and treatment of depression in RA paramount to the overall management of RA.