Depression Associated With Disease Activity, Physical Impairment in PsA

Depression is common among patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and is closely correlated with disease activity and physical function impairment, according to a study recently published in the International Journal of Rheumatic Diseases.

Additionally, the authors determined that achieving low disease activity and maintaining physical function in patients with PsA may mitigate the psychological burden.

Researchers recruited patients with PsA who met the Classification Criteria for Psoriatic Arthritis from local rheumatology clinics in Hong Kong, China. Those patients then self-administered a Chinese-Cantonese version of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) to assess depression.

There were 108 patients in the study, 82 females and 126 males. Of those patients, 62 (29.8%) were found to have depression. Associated factors were Psoriasis Area and Severity Index score; disease activity measurement (determined by tender and swollen joint count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, Disease Activity in Psoriatic Arthritis [DAPSA] score, Leeds Enthesitis Index, and tender dactylitis count); quality of life measurement (determined by Health Assessment Questionnaire – Disability Index [HAQ-DI], pain, and general health perception); PsA duration; and body mass index. Of those factors, DAPSA and HAQ-DI scores were closely associated with depression (P = .007 and P = .02, respectively).

There were no associates found between depression and age, living and employment status, gender, demographics, inflammatory markers, disease duration, or skin involvement and comorbidities (as determined by Charlson’s Comorbidity Index).

—Allison Casey

Reference:
Lai TL, Au CK, Chung HY, and Lau CS. Depression in psoriatic arthritis: Related to socio-demographics, comorbid loads or disease activity?. Int J Rheum Dis. Published online February 11, 2022. DOI: 10.1111/1756-185X.14298