Mental distress among adults with arthritis is common, and linked to treatment non-compliance and lower quality of life, according to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
People with arthritis are known to struggle with recurring chronic pain, anxiety and depression. New data from the 2017 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System showed that adults with arthritis frequently report mental distress and a history of depression. This was true in all states, though the link was most prevalent in the Appalachian region and states.
Furthermore, adults with rheumatoid arthritis who reported being depressed at the time of the survey were three times less likely than their peers to follow clinical treatment recommendations. This included medication compliance, and adherence to diet, exercise and follow-up appointments. In addition, respondents who reported being both anxious and depressed were found to have a reduced response to clinical treatment and poorer quality of life overall.
The takeaway? The researchers recommend actively engaging adults with arthritis in evidence-based programs that address both physical and psychological needs. These include the Arthritis Self-Management Program and the more widely available Chronic Disease Self-Management Program, wrote CDC epidemiologist and study corresponding author Kamil E. Barbour, Ph.D.
“All adults with arthritis might benefit from systematic mental health screening by their healthcare team,” Barbour recommended, along with referral to mental health services when needed.
A summary was published in the agency’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
