Burden of Depression among Working-Age Adults with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Area of Science:

• Rheumatology
• Psychiatry
• Health Economics

Background:

• Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease affecting joints.
• Depression is a common comorbidity in RA patients, impacting overall well-being.
• The combined burden of RA and depression requires comprehensive assessment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To quantify the excess clinical, humanistic, and economic burden of depression in working-age adults with RA.
• To compare outcomes between RA patients with and without depression.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective cross-sectional study using Medical Expenditure Panel Survey data (2009-2015).
• Included working-age adults (18-64 years) with RA, comparing those with depression (N=647) to those without (N=2,015).

Main Results:

• Depression was present in 25.8% of RA patients.
• RA patients with depression experienced significantly more severe pain interference, functional limitations, and lower mental health-related quality of life.
• Higher annual healthcare expenditures ($14,752 vs $10,541) and out-of-pocket costs were observed in RA patients with depression.
• Depression was linked to unemployment, increased missed work days, and lost wages among employed RA patients.

Conclusions:

• Effective depression management in RA patients is crucial for reducing pain and functional impairments.
• Addressing depression improves quality of life and lowers direct and indirect healthcare costs.
• Integrated care models are needed to manage comorbid depression in RA.