Factors associated with depressive symptoms in Japanese women with rheumatoid arthritis

It has been suggested that patients with RA are more likely to suffer from depression. Therefore, this study identified the factors associated with depressive states in female RA patients to inform future patient care.

A self-assessment questionnaire was administered to 150 female RA patients aged ≥20 years regarding their satisfaction with disease activity, pain (measured using a visual analogue scale), self-rated depression scale (SDS), stress content (illness, work, family, difficulty in daily life, appearance, treatment and other), confidence in stress management and satisfaction (treatment effect, health status and relationships with health-care professionals). The factors related to depression and the presence of depressive tendencies were investigated.

Data from 145 patients were analysed. Eighteen patients (12.4%) showed depressive tendencies according to their SDS scores. Among these patients, SDS scores were positively correlated with disease activity and with scores on the modified HAQ, visual analogue scale for pain, and stress content. The SDS score was also negatively correlated with patients' confidence in stress management and health status satisfaction.

Female RA patients had family problems and various stressors in their daily lives. Nurses need to conduct regular mental health assessments to monitor their self-management status and support them to improve their confidence and satisfaction in coping. To achieve this, it is important for health-care teams involving various health-care professionals to collaborate and cooperate.