A patient with rheumatoid arthritis is at increased risk for experiencing depression. A number of factors can help to identify a patient who is at risk.
Factors associated with depression in patients with rheumatoid arthritis:
(1) pain extent and/or severity
(2) fatigue
(3) comorbidity
(4) disability and functional impairment
(5) lower education or income
(6) female gender
The risk for depression may increase during periods of increased disease activity.
Any patient with rheumatoid arthritis who presents with some of these factors should be asked about depressive symptoms.
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