Temporal effect of depressive symptoms on the longitudinal evolution of rheumatoid arthritis disease activity.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Depression is common in the rheumatoid arthritis (RA) population, yet little is known of its effect on the course of disease activity. The aim of our study was to determine if prevalent and incident depressive symptoms influenced longitudinal changes in RA disease activity.

Methods

RA patients with and without depressive symptoms were identified using single-item questions from an existing registry sample. Mixed-effects models were used to examine changes in disease activity over 2 years in those with and without prevalent and incident depressive symptoms. Outcome variables included composite disease activity, joint counts, global assessments, pain, function, and acute-phase reactants. Model-based outcome estimations at the index dates and corresponding 1- and 2-ye

SUBMITTER: Rathbun AM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4886706 | biostudies-literature | 2015 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature