RADIOLOGICAL DAMAGE IN RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS: RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE DURATION OF MORNING STIFFNESS, DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS, AND DISEASE DURATION

Aims: The aim of this study was to evaluate radiological damage and disease-related variables in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Material and methods: Ninety patients diagnosed with RA were enrolled in this cross-sectional and descriptive study. All of the patients were assessed using the Rheumatoid Arthritis Quality of Life and Health Assessment Questionnaire scales and the Beck Depression Inventory. The Disease Activity Score 28 scale was used to assess disease activity, and antibodies against mutated citrullinated vimentin (Anti MCV) were identified with an Enzyme-Linked Immuno Sorbent Assay. Radiological damage was calculated with the modified Larsen method. Results: According to the suggested Cut-off point for the Larsen score (scores >= 28), 35.5% (n=32) of the patients with RA had an erosive score. The patients with erosive RA had significantly higher Anti MCV, disease duration and Beck depression scores than did the non-erosive RA group. Multivariate regression analyses indicated that the Beck depression score, disease duration and duration of morning stiffness were independently associated with the radiological score. Conclusion: Radiological damage in RA patients is a result of multifactorial origins and is associated with disease-related variables such as disease duration, duration of morning stiffness, Anti- Cyclic citrullinated peptide levels and depressive symptoms.