The Relationship Between Anxiety, Depression, Suicidal Ideation and Quality of Life in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic disease and many patients with RA experience lifelong anxiety and depression. The aim of this study is to provide an assessment of anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, disease activity and quality of life in patients with RA. Fifty patients were included in the study. Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Short Form Health Survey (SF-36), Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation (BSSI) and Disease Activity Score (DAS-28) were applied. A statistically negative correlation was found between HADS-A and HADS-D scores and all subscales of SF-36. There was a statistically negative correlation between the DAS-28 score and the subscales of the SF-36 except mental health and bodily pain. Suicidal ideation was associated with anxiety and depression and BSSI scores of patients suffering from anxiety and depression are higher than the patients not suffering from anxiety and depression. There was a statistically negative correlation between BSSI and the subscales of SF-36 excepting physical role. This study indicated that anxiety, depression, quality of life, disease activity and suicidal ideation are related to each other in patients with RA. The presence of concomitant anxiety and depression may lead to suicide and poor quality of life and may worsen the prognosis of the RA.