Depression in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis: Unmasking the Hidden Burden

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a chronic autoimmune disease, is accompanied by frequent relapses and remissions, great pain, physical impairment, functional disability that elicit psychological distress as the patient faces a painful progression marked with attacks.

The aim of the current study was to examine literature data and investigate the occurrence and determinants of depression in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

A literature review was performed via Medline, Scopus, Science Direct, and Google Scholar databases, using specific keywords and included articles published in English and Greek language.

Prevalence of depression increases over time in RA patients compared with healthy individuals. Association has been reported between depressive symptomatology and major disease determinants such as disease activity, inflammation, disability and handicap, pain, lack of social support. By identifying risk factors associated with depression, targeted interventions can be developed. This may lead to earlier detection and treatment or even prevention of depressive disorders in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

A treatment approach, which aims to limit physical symptoms, reduce inflammation and disability, and minimize depressive symptomatology, may lead to better management of the disease, and improvement of patients' quality of life.