Frequency of depression in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Abstract

Co morbid depression in rheumatoid arthritis is associated with higher levels of disease activity, pain, fatigue, work disability, health service use and lower treatment compliance. Objectives: To determine the frequency of depression among patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Study Design: Cross sectional, descriptive study. Setting: Pain clinic, Outpatient department, Nishtar Hospital, Multan. Period: Eight months from 10-11-2015 to 10-06-2016. Material & Methods: The total 174 patients with rheumatoid arthritis were enrolled through the non-probability consecutive sampling technique. Results pertaining to rates were reported as frequencies and percentages. Pearson chi squared test was applied to identify the significant associations between study variables. Results: Among the total 174; (100%) study participants, depression was noted in 116; (66.7%) of participants. Forty-three (24.7%) of study participants were males and 131; (75.3%) were females. Calculated mean age of participants was 48.47 ± 8.09 years. Statistically significant associations of depression were noted with duration, treatment and symptom of rheumatoid arthritis. Conclusion: A high frequency of the depression was noted among patients with rheumatoid arthritis, which was associated with poor outcomes of rheumatoid arthritis. This suggests that the optimal care of rheumatoid arthritis should include detection and management of depression.