
Research view
Title: | Depression in female patients with rheumatoid arthritis: the effect of physical disability and family support |
Author: | Mohammad G. Sehloand Sami M. Bahlas |
Abstract: |
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
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Journal: | Middle East Current Psychiatry 2015, 22:152–157 |
Text: | |
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