To describe the prevalence of depression among patients with primary systemic vasculitides (PSV); compare prevalence according to vasculitis type and against controls; and examine the impact of depression on PSV outcomes.
We searched Medline, PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science using a predefined protocol in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. We included all studies that reported the prevalence or impact of depression in PSV. We also included polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) given its association with giant cell arteritis (GCA). Meta-analyses of prevalence estimates were performed using random-effects models and reported as percentages (95% confidence interval).
We reviewed a total of 15 studies that described the prevalence of depression, categorised into small (n = 10) and large vessel vasculitis (n = 7). Pooled prevalence estimate for depression in a small vessel (predominantly ANCA-associated) vasculitis was 28% (95% CI 20-38%) with significant heterogeneity (I
Depression is highly prevalent among patients with primary systemic vasculitis and associated with poorer outcomes across a range of measures in studies of small vessel disease. Further studies are needed for depression in medium and large vessel vasculitides.