Patient Perception of Depressive Symptoms in Rheumatic Diseases: A Cross-sectional Survey. Issue 1 (January 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ingegnoli, Francesca; Schioppo, Tommaso; Ubiali, Tania; Ostuzzi, Silvia; Bollati, Valentina; Buoli, Massimiliano; Caporali, Roberto
• Is Part Of: Journal of clinical rheumatology. Volume 28:Issue 1(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-01
• Subjects: depression -- mood disorder -- patient perspective -- PHQ-9 -- research -- rheumatic diseases; Rheumatism -- Periodicals; Rheumatology -- Periodicals; Musculoskeletal system -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Musculoskeletal Diseases -- Periodicals; Rheumatic Diseases -- Periodicals; Rhumatisme -- Périodiques; Rhumatologie -- Périodiques; Appareil locomoteur -- Maladies -- Périodiques; Musculoskeletal system -- Diseases; Rheumatism; Rheumatology; Periodicals; 616.723005
• DOI: 10.1097/RHU.0000000000001564
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1076-1608

Abstract

Abstract : Objectives: The presented study aimed to explore the presence and the self-identification of depressive symptoms among patients with rheumatic musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs) through the use of the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). Methods: Between June and October 2019, patients from the regional association for people with RMDs in Lombardy, Italy (ALOMAR), were invited to participate in a cross-sectional online survey. Participants completed PHQ-9 along with a survey about their perception of depressive symptoms. Patients were stratified according to PHQ-9 score as follows: not depressed (<4), subclinical or mild depression (5–9), moderate depression (10–14), moderately severe depression (10–14), and severe depression (20–27). Descriptive statistics and analyses of variance were used to explore data. Results: Of the 192 RMD patients who completed PHQ-9, 35 (18.2%) were not depressed, 68 (35.4%) had subclinical or mild depression, 42 (21.9%) had moderate depression, 30 (15.6%) had moderately severe depression, and 17 (8.9%) had severe depression. Contrary to the above findings, only 16 respondents (8.3%) reported that they experienced depressive symptoms, and only 7 of the 16 were being followed by a psychiatrist. Respondents with higher PHQ-9 scores tended to have concomitant fibromyalgia, to be younger, and to be overweight. Conclusions: The current results indicate the overall burden of depressive symptoms in RMD patients. While clinical depression (PHQ-9 >10) was detected in 41.2% of respondents, only 8.3% reported that they experience depressive symptoms. Routine screening of RMD patients for depression is therefore critical.