Psychiatry Research EG

Objectives (a) To assess the rate of depression in a sample of female patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA); (b) to evaluate the factors associated with depression in those patients; (c) to evaluate the impact of family support on depression in those patients. Participants and methods In a cross-sectional study, 100 female patients with RA were recruited in the study (mean age = 39.98 ± 7.4). Depression was diagnosed in those patients using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I disorders, clinical version (SCID-I-CV) and its severity was assessed using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies–Depression Scale (CES-D), family support was assessed using the Family Cohesion Subscale of the Family Environment Scale, physical disability was measured using the Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index (HAQ-DI) and the disease activity was measured using the ‘Disease Activity Score’ for 28 joints (DAS 28). Results The rate of depression among female patients with RA was 24% (24/100), there was a significant association between increased severity of physical disability and increased risk and severity of depression (odds ratio = 2.39; 95% confidence interval = 1.1–4.2; P= 0.02 and B = 0.15, P= 0.03, respectively). Higher levels of family support were significantly associated with decreased risk [for every unit increase on the Family Cohesion Subscale physical, the likelihood of depressive disorder decreased by 15% (odds ratio = 0.85; 95% confidence interval = 0.69–0.98, P = 0.01)] and severity of depression (B = – 0.29, P= 0.001). Conclusion Our results demonstrate that increased physical disability was associated with an increased risk and severity of depression in female patients with RA and higher levels of family support were associated with decreased risk and severity of depression. Family support has an important role in improving the symptoms of depression and family therapy aiming to increase the family support may be very beneficial in improving depression and subsequently preventing the serious consequences of depression in those patients. Keywords: depression, family support, rheumatoid arthritis