The findings and conclusions in this report are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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Mental Health and Arthritis
Anxiety and depression among US adults with arthritis: Prevalence and correlates†
Article first published online: 26 JUN 2012
DOI: 10.1002/acr.21685
Copyright © 2012 by the American College of Rheumatology
Additional Information
How to Cite
Murphy, L. B., Sacks, J. J., Brady, T. J., Hootman, J. M. and Chapman, D. P. (2012), Anxiety and depression among US adults with arthritis: Prevalence and correlates. Arthritis Care Res, 64: 968–976. doi: 10.1002/acr.21685
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Publication History
- Issue published online: 26 JUN 2012
- Article first published online: 26 JUN 2012
- Accepted manuscript online: 1 MAY 2012 10:16AM EST
- Manuscript Accepted: 20 MAR 2012
- Manuscript Received: 11 OCT 2011
Abstract
Objective
There has been limited characterization of the burden of anxiety and depression, especially the former, among US adults with arthritis in the general population. The study objective was to estimate the prevalence and correlates of anxiety and depression among US adults with doctor-diagnosed arthritis.
Methods
The study sample comprised US adults ages ≥45 years with doctor-diagnosed arthritis (n = 1,793) from the Arthritis Conditions Health Effects Survey (a cross-sectional, population-based, random-digit–dialed telephone interview survey). Anxiety and depression were measured using separate and validated subscales of the Arthritis Impact Measurement Scales. Prevalence was estimated for the sample overall and stratified by subgroups. Associations between correlates and each condition were estimated with prevalence ratios and 95% confidence intervals using logistic regression models.
Results
Anxiety was more common than depression (31% and 18%, respectively); overall, one-third of respondents reported at least 1 of the 2 conditions. Most (84%) of those with depression also had anxiety. Multivariable logistic regression modeling failed to identify a distinct profile of characteristics of those with anxiety and/or depression. Only half of the respondents with anxiety and/or depression had sought help for their mental health condition in the past year.
Conclusion
Despite the clinical focus on depression among people with arthritis, anxiety was almost twice as common as depression. Given their high prevalence, their profound impact on quality of life, and the range of effective treatments available, we encourage health care providers to screen all people with arthritis for both anxiety and depression.