We sought to determine if initial high disease activity or changes in disease activity contribute to persistent depression in early rheumatoid arthritis (ERA). We also determined if disease activity and depression is modified by sex.
Depression was ascertained by self-report among patients enrolled in the Ontario Best Practices Research Initiative. The association between baseline disease activity, measured by the Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI), and persistent depression was evaluated with multivariate regression models, and effect modification by sex was tested. A general estimating equation assessed the association between change in CDAI over time and risk of depression.
The sample of 469 ERA subjects was predominantly female (73%). At baseline, the prevalence of depression was 26%, and 23% reported persistent depression. After adjusting for potential confounders, higher baseline CDAI was associated with both baseline and persistent depression (OR 1.03, 95% CI 1.01-1.05). Female sex was an effect modifier of this relationship (OR 1.04, 95% CI 1.01-1.06). Maintaining a moderate or high CDAI score over 2 years also increased the risk of future depression.
Depression in ERA is common and initial high disease activity is associated with the probability of depression and its persistence. This risk seems particularly modified in women with active disease and represents an area for targeted focus and screening. Future studies in ERA are needed to determine if intervening during the "window of opportunity" to control disease activity has the potential to mitigate the development and maintenance of adverse mental health outcomes, including depression.