To explore features of Chinese medical syndrome types in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients accompanied depressive symptoms.
The degree of depressive symptoms was assessed in 263 RA patients using self-rating depression scale (SDS). The correlation between depressive symptoms and modified Disease Activity Score (DAS28) were analyzed. The features of Chinese medical syndrome types of RA patients accompanied with depressive symptoms were also assessed.
The percentage of these patients of sputum-stasis obstruction syndrome (SSOS) was 47.2% and that of qi-blood deficiency syndrome (QBDS) was 45.8%, obvious higher than that of other groups (P < 0.05). DAS28 score was higher and their course of the disease was longer in RA patients accompanied with depressive symptoms. But there was no obvious difference in age. There were more RA patients with depressive symptoms holding higher levels of certificate than those holding lower levels of certificate.
There was certain correlation between Chinese medical syndrome types and depressive symptoms in RA patients. RA patients of SSOS and QBDS were easier to suffer from depressive symptoms. Higher DAS28, longer course of the disease, and holding higher levels of certificate might be three risk factors for RA patients accompanied with depressive symptoms.