title: Depression among the Moroccan systemic sclerosis.
abstract: To determine the prevalence and predictors factors of depression in Moroccan patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc), we conducted a cross-sectional study of 59 Moroccan patients with systemic sclerosis. Patients were assessed by using the Patient Health Questionnaire depression scale "PHQ-9" and through extensive clinical histories and medical examinations. The Arabic version of HAQ and SF-36 was used to assess functional disability and health status, respectively. Forty-six patients (77.4%) presented symptoms of depression. Thirty six (61%) have a major depressive syndrome and 10 (16.4%) have a minor depressive syndrome. The PHQ-9 score was significantly higher in the patient with prolonged disease duration, severe joint pain, higher disease severity, and important acute-phase reactants. Also, depression had a negative impact on physical and mental scores. Systemic scleroderma is associated with a high prevalence of depression. Screening for depression among patients with SSc is recommended and it should be assessed for routinely.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rheumatology (Pr N Hajjaj-Hassouni), El Ayachi Hospital, 11000, Sale, Morocco. fahdwafki@yahoo.fr
authors.forename: Fahd
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Wafki
authors.forename: Bouchra
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Amine
authors.forename: Yousra
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ibn Yacoub
authors.forename: Assia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Laatiriss
authors.forename: Fatima
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Znat
authors.forename: Redouane
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Abouqal
authors.forename: Najia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Hajjaj-Hassouni
mesh_terms: D015897:Comorbidity; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007596:Joints / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009018:Morocco / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012595:Scleroderma, Systemic / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires