Correlates of depression and quality of life in patients with inflammatory arthritides

Depression is a major co-morbidity in patients with inflammatory arthritides. In addition to the inflammatory processes, factors like pain, quality of life and trait emotional intelligence or the awareness on one's emotion and the ability to regulate these effectively may be associated with the presence of depression in this population.<br></br> <b>Aims</b> The aims of the present study were to determine the rates of depression in patients with psoriatic (PsA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) attending a tertiary referral centre, and to investigate possible factors that are associated with depression in this population. <b>Methods</b> Interim data pertaining to depression (HADS), pain (British Pain Society Pain scale), quality of life (EuroQoL), physical function (HAQ-DI), inflammation (CRP) and emotional intelligence (Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire - TEIQue-SF) were analysed from data from 100 patients (50 PsA and 50 RA). <b>Results</b> Upto 30% of patients with PsA and RA were found to be depressed. Similarly, upto 25% of patients with PsA and RA fulfilled the criteria for caseness on the HADS A subscale. None of these patients were on therapeutic doses of an antidepressant. There was significant correlation between depression scores and scores on quality of life, disability and emotional intelligence. Together, they explained almost 50% of the variance in depression scores. <b>Conclusion</b> The prevalence of depression is high in people with inflammatory arthritides. Disability, Quality of life and trait emotional intelligence seems to be important factors associated with inflammation and presence of depression in this population