The Depression Prevalence in Chinese Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

The chronic course and recurring acute episodes of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) can significantly affect the psychological and mental health of patients. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of depression in Chinese patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) through a systematic review and meta-analysis.

We conducted a comprehensive literature search on electronic databases from the inception of the database to April 2023. The inclusion criteria included cross-sectional or case-control studies on depression prevalence with a sample size of at least 50 participants. The data was extracted from the included studies and analyzed to calculate the pooled depression prevalence, along with a 95% confidence interval (CI), using Review Manager 5.3 software (Version 5.3. Copenhagen: The Nordic Cochrane Centre, The Cochrane Collaboration, 2014).

Thirteen studies (n = 29,113) were included, with females accounting for over 50% of all participants. Based on the data pooled from all 13 studies, the observed depression prevalence in Chinese individuals with RA was 37% (95% CI: 28-46%; I2 = 95%; p < 0.0001). A subsequent subgroup analysis was conducted on scale types, age, and gender. Regarding scale types, the depression prevalence was assessed using various scales included the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HAMD), Hamilton Depression Scale (HADS), Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CES-D) scale, Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder (fourth edition DSM.IV) diagnostic criteria, and Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS) were 50%, 35%, 58%, 39%, and 41%, respectively. Based on mean age, five studies researched RA individuals <50 years old, establishing a depression prevalence of 48% (95% CI: 32-65%). In contrast, eight studies researched RA individuals ≥50 years old, establishing a depression prevalence of 41% (95% CI: 32-51%). Gender-based analysis indicated a depression prevalence in female RA individuals of 45% (95% CI: 37-55%) and 39% (95% CI: 29-48%) among male RA patients. Depression prevalence established significant correlations with specific scales, including the HAMD scale (odds ratio (OR) 4.93, 95% CI: 1.79-10.2), CES-D scale (OR 2.83, 95% CI: 1.71-4.65), DSM.IV criteria (OR 0.75, 95% CI: 0.38-1.51), and SDS (OR 0.95, 95% CI: 0.32-2.16). Additionally, depression prevalence was associated with age categories (age ≥50: OR 1.25, 95% CI: 0.59-2.70; age <50: OR 1.99, 95% CI: 0.93-3.81), as well as gender (female: OR 1.63, 95% CI: 0.64-4.57; male: OR 1.07, 95% CI: 0.38-3.03), although some associations did not reach statistical significance.

The depression prevalence was high in Chinese individuals with RA, especially in females and patients under 50 years old. These findings suggest the need for improving detection and management of depression in RA patients.