Symptoms of depression and anxiety predict treatment response and long-term physical health outcomes in rheumatoid arthritis: secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this analysis is to examine the longitudinal impact of symptoms of depression/anxiety on treatment response, long-term disease activity and physical disability in RA.


METHODS
Secondary analysis of clinical trial data was performed. Data were collected at baseline and at 6-monthly intervals for 2 years. The EuroQoL (EQ-5D(TM)) indicated depression/anxiety symptom severity. Our primary outcomes of interest were (i) DAS-28 and (ii) physical disability measured via the HAQ. Secondary outcomes were: tender and swollen joint counts, patient global assessment, ESR and odds of reaching clinical remission. Multilevel models were used to assess the impact of baseline and persistent depression/anxiety on outcomes over 2 years.


RESULTS
Data from 379 patients were included. After adjusting for covariates, baseline depression/anxiety symptoms were associated with increased DAS-28 outcomes and increased tender joint counts. Persistent depression/anxiety symptoms were associated with increased DAS-28 scores, HAQ scores, tender joint counts and patient global assessment of disease activity, and reduced odds of reaching clinical remission. Patients with symptoms of depression/anxiety at baseline also showed a 50% reduction in prednisolone treatment effect, in comparison with patients with no symptoms of depression/anxiety at baseline.


CONCLUSIONS
Baseline and persistent symptoms of depression/anxiety are associated with poorer health outcomes over time, as well as reduced treatment response. Mental health should be routinely measured both in clinical practice and in research, and managed alongside rheumatological disease to optimize health outcomes. Further research is required to examine whether treatment of mental disorders can improve rheumatological outcomes.
Department of Psychological Medicine, faith.matcham@kcl.ac.uk.
Faith
F
Matcham
Psychology Department and.
Sam
S
Norton
Department of Rheumatology, King's College London, London, UK.
David L
DL
Scott
Department of Rheumatology, King's College London, London, UK.
Sophia
S
Steer
Department of Psychological Medicine.
Matthew
M
Hotopf
D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001007:Anxiety / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D005938:Glucocorticoids
HAQ; anxiety; depression; disease activity; joint erosion; longitudinal; pain; remission; rheumatoid arthritis (RA)