Treatment for depression Blog

Study Says: Doctors Should Watch For Depression In Arthritis Patients

New reports from researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill have suggested that patients with rheumatoid arthritis are twice as likely to experience depression but are unlikely to talk to a doctor about it.

It is noteworthy of mention that rheumatoid arthritis (RA) the most common form of chronic inflammatory arthritis, is a debilitating disease characterized by inflammation of joint tissues, persistent pain, functional disability, stiffness and fatigue.

Furthermore, according top Betsy Sleath, PhD, a professor at the UNC School of Pharmacy, although depression in primary care settings has been well examined, no previous studies have looked at whether rheumatologists and RA patients discuss depression during medical visits.

Background investigation into this article depicts that in a new study lead by Sleath and published in this month's issue of Arthritis Care & Research, researchers found that almost 11 percent of RA patients had moderately severe to severe symptoms of depression.

Furthermore, the study also found that only one in five of the patients who showed symptoms of depression discussed it with their rheumatologists.

Sleath said when patients visit their specialist, their arthritis is understandably their main focus but rheumatologists should consider addressing both RA and depression when they see their patients.

Sleath elaborates: "Chronic diseases can greatly affect a patient's psychosocial well-being, and depression can also affect a patient's adherence to treatment regimens, Since many arthritis patients see their rheumatologist more often then their primary-care physician, we recommend that rheumatologists take steps to screen patients for signs of depression."

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posted by Foras Aje @ 9:23 PM