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Rheumatologists under-report depression symptoms among patients with RA
Rheumatologists under-report symptoms of depression among patients with rheumatoid arthritis and disease estimates were lower when compared with healthy individuals, according to recently published data.
Researchers estimated lifetime prevalence, 12-month prevalence and annualized incidence rates using depression symptom measures reported separately by patients enrolled in the Consortium of Rheumatology Researchers of North America (CORRONA) registry and rheumatologists. Cross-sectional associations between RA disease and a history of depressive symptoms were also examined.
Study results showed lifetime prevalence estimates of 26.5% reported by patients and 12.9% by rheumatologists, while 12-month prevalence rates were 11.7% for patients and 1% for rheumatologists. Patients reported an annualized incidence rate of 7.8 per 100 patient-years in depressive symptom measures compared with 0.4 per 100 patient-years reported by rheumatologists. Researchers also found an association between increased disease activity at study entry and a higher probability of reporting a history of depressive symptoms.
Disclosure: Harrold is a consulting epidemiologist to Corrona Inc. Reed is the chief statistical officer of the Corrona registry.