Depression in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: A multicenter study

Abstract

Background and Objective:Neuropsychiatric disorders including depression are common clinical manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Depression in patients with SLE is under-recognized, although it is a treatable clinical entity. The present study aimed to determine the prevalence of depression and identify the relationship between depression and SLE disease characteristics.Patients and Methods:This multicenter cross-sectional study was conducted in the rheumatology clinics of four tertiary referral hospitals in Saudi Arabia between April and September 2014. Patients' demographic data and SLE disease characteristics such as disease duration, severity and drug treatments were collected. A validated Arabic Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) score was used to estimate the prevalence of depression.Results:A total of 68 patients with SLE (64 women, 4 men) were enrolled in the study. Forty-six (67.6%) patients were found to have BDI scores indicating depression; of them, only four patients (8.7%) were receiving antidepressant treatments. Higher prevalence of depression was associated with steroid treatment (P = 0.046).Conclusions:The study results revealed high prevalence of depression among Saudi patients with SLE. Most of the study population were not adequately treated, suggesting inadequate recognition and treatment of depression in SLE.

Depression-, Pain-, and Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

“…This would suggest that symptoms of depression in our cohort were either inadequately recognized or else they were felt to be a natural consequence of the disease activity which did not require additional treatment beyond that for the lupus. Similar to our findings, several previous studies have emphasized the lack of recognition and treatment of depressive symptoms in SLE [ 10 , 24 , 25 ]. In two studies, the rate of antidepressant treatment was less than 10% [ 10 , 24 ].…”

“…Similar to our findings, several previous studies have emphasized the lack of recognition and treatment of depressive symptoms in SLE [ 10 , 24 , 25 ]. In two studies, the rate of antidepressant treatment was less than 10% [ 10 , 24 ]. And, in a third study by Karol et al, only 49% of patients with moderate or severe depressive symptoms were prescribed antidepressants, and many were not receiving optimal dosages [ 25 ].…”

Social determinants of depression in systemic lupus erythematosus: A systematic scoping review

“…27,31 Outside of the USA, most data came from China 26,32 or Saudi Arabia. 33,34 Articles drew data from cross-sectional studies (11 articles) followed by longitudinal cohorts (9 articles), Medicaid health insurance claims data (1 article), and hospital discharge records (1 article). A majority were published in 2015 or later (13 articles).…”

An Overview of the Intrinsic Role of Citrullination in Autoimmune Disorders

“…The high prevalence of depression among Saudi patients with SLE may highlight the need for routine and careful evaluation for depressive symptoms among those patients. Adequate psychiatric consultation and appropriate treatment are necessary for SLE patients [319]. Other studies were performed to assist and support the awareness of Saudis about SLE, and significant reports showed poor public knowledge of SLE among participants even among medical students [320].…”