Depression screening 'should be offered to arthritis patients'

People with arthritis and other rheumatic diseases should be screened for depression, Canadian researchers suggest.

Dr Esme Fuller-Thomson and Dr Yael Shaked of the University of Toronto reviewed a national health database and found that one in ten people with the diseases suffered from major depression.

The Canadian Community Health Survey 2000-2001 database contained responses from 130,880 people.

"There were 23,405 respondents [over the age of] 20 years who reported that they had been diagnosed with arthritis or rheumatism by a health professional," revealed the researchers.

They added that after adjusting for age and sex, the likelihood of arthritis patients being depressed and even suicidal was twice that of people without any rheumatic diseases.

"Major depression among those with arthritis [was] significantly higher among women, the unmarried, younger, and poorer individuals. Individuals in pain, with limitations in activities of daily living, with limitations in instrumental activities of daily living, and with greater numbers of chronic conditions had higher odds of major depression," wrote the study authors in the journal Arthritis Care and Research.

"Less than half of those with major depression had consulted a mental health professional … The majority of individuals with arthritis and major depression were not receiving adequate treatment for major depression. Clients should be screened for major depression and suicidal ideation, particularly if they fall into the identified vulnerable groups."

There are many different types of arthritis and rheumatic diseases. The most common type of arthritis is osteoarthritis, which occurs when the cartilage in the joints weakens and causes the bones to rub against each other.

Another common type of arthritis is rheumatoid arthritis, an inflammatory form of the disease.

A spokeswoman from the Arthritis Research Campaign commented: "Professionals need to be aware of the psychological impact of the disease and be able to provide a multi-disciplinary approach to treatment."


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