The prevalence and correlates of depression in Korean adults with rheumatoid arthritis: Results from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys

Abstract

Purpose This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and correlates of depression in Korean patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods We analyzed the data of the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). The sociodemographic, clinical, and psychiatric variables were compared between the RA group (n = 277) and the gender‐ and age‐matched non‐RA group (n = 1068). Participants in the RA group who had a Patient Health Questionnaire‐9 (PHQ‐9) score of 10 or more were sub‐categorized as the depression group (n = 52), and the prevalence of depression with RA was determined. Complex samples logistic regression analysis was performed to clarify the associated factors for depression in patients with RA. Results The prevalence of depression in patients with RA was 17.4%. The RA group experienced more pain, restrictions on usual activities, and stress in their daily lives. RA patients with 3 or more comorbid diseases, extreme pain, problems in usual activities, and moderate to severe perceived stress were more likely to develop depression. Female gender and low income were also associated factors to consider. Conclusion Depression is significantly prevalent in Korean RA patients. Along with managing pain and daily life functions, interventions to reduce perceived stress are needed for comprehensive RA management.

Depressive symptoms and associated factors among older patients with arthritis: evidence from a community-based study in eastern China

“…Our results associating limitations in activities of daily living with depressive symptoms in older patients with arthritis is consistent with the findings of many previous studies. A study in Korea found that patients with RA were three times more likely to experience depression, as assessed by the PHQ-9, if they also had limitations in activities of daily living (34). A study in Taiwan Province of China also associated higher functional ability with lower levels of depression measured by the Geriatric Depression Scale (38).…”

“…The United States National Health Interview Survey (2015-2017) found that the prevalence of depressive symptoms classified based on a frequency question and an intensity question of depressed feeling in patients with arthritis and more than two chronic conditions was double that of patients with one or two conditions (28). The Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey revealed that patients with RA with three or more comorbidities had five-fold higher odds of depression as measured by the PHQ-9 than those without (34). In addition to its relationship with depressive symptoms, multimorbidity has been found to be related to limitations in activities of daily living in China, India, and the United States (35)(36)(37).…”

The association of disease activity with depression and sleep quality in patients with rheumatoid arthritis in Hong Kong

“…Patients with RA are more likely to experience depression and poor quality of life (QoL). The prevalence of depression in patients with RA is estimated to be 14.8%–38.8%, which is significantly higher than that in the general population 1,2 . In a meta‐analysis, patients with RA who were depressed had poorer health‐related QoL, 3 higher RA disease activity, 4 and were less likely to respond to treatment or achieve disease remission 5,6 …”

The burden of rheumatoid arthritis and low back pain in North Africa and Middle East from 1990 to 2019: Results from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

“…Moreover, the mortality rate of patients with RA is still higher than in the general population 7 . Several comorbidities have also been reported in patients with RA, including depression, 8 asthma, cardiovascular events, and malignancies 9 . Advances in diagnostic tools and the availability of new therapeutic options have been of utmost importance for improving patient outcomes 10 .…”