Depression Rates Among Rheumatologists From Latin America: A PANLAR Online Survey.

Area of Science:

• Rheumatology
• Psychiatry
• Occupational Health

Background:

• Physician depression is a growing concern impacting health and performance.
• Prevalence and associated factors of depressive symptoms in Latin American rheumatologists remain understudied.

Purpose of the Study:

• Determine the prevalence of depressive symptoms among Latin American rheumatologists.
• Identify demographic, professional, and psychosocial factors linked to depressive symptoms.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional online survey (August-November 2020) in Spanish and Portuguese.
• Utilized Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) for depression and Maslach Burnout Inventory for burnout.
• Included 297 practicing rheumatologists from 15 Latin American countries; depression defined as PHQ-9 score ≥10.

Main Results:

• 15.8% of rheumatologists reported moderate to severe depression; 33% had mild symptoms.
• Burnout affected 56.6%; depression was higher in younger physicians, those with fewer practice years, lower income, and less vacation.
• Burnout and lower happiness were independently associated with depression in multivariate analysis.

Conclusions:

• Almost half of Latin American rheumatologists exhibit depressive symptoms.
• Burnout and psychosocial stressors are key contributors to depression in this group.
• Urgent need for early identification and institutional strategies to support rheumatologist mental health and well-being.